LE SCRIPT EN VO (SPOILERS ASSURES!!)

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B A T M A N B E G I N S

BLACK. A low KEENING which becomes SCREECHING that BUILDS
and BUILDS until-
RED flickers through black as the screen BURSTS into life:
Clouds of REELING BATS silhouetted against a blood red sky,
bolting away from camera, MASSING in the sky... FORMING a
density the shape of an enormous BAT-LIKE SYMBOL.
More BATS mass, swamping the symbol, DARKENING the screen to-
BLACK. Distant children's LAUGHTER which comes closer as-
SUNLIGHT flickers through black. Sunlight through trees
running through a SUMMER GARDEN. A BOY. Chasing a GIRL.
The Boy reaches a Victorian GREENHOUSE. Stands in the doorway
catching his breath. This is Bruce Wayne, aged 8, and we
are-
EXT. GARDENS, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY
YOUNG BRUCE peers down rows of plants on long trestle tables.
YOUNG BRUCE
Rachel?
No response. Sunlight streams through wrought iron and glass.
Young Bruce advances, cautious. He is GRABBED from behind
and pulled under a table by a young girl, aged 10. This is
RACHEL. She puts her hand over Young Bruce's mouth.
FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
Rachel?! Master Bruce?!
A woman STRIDES past the windows: MRS.DODSON, Rachel's mother,
housekeeper of Wayne Manor.
YOUNG BRUCE
(whispering)
What're you doing?!
RACHEL
(matter-of-fact)
Kidnapping you. They'' pay a lot
for precious Brucie.
Young Bruce stares, wide-eyed. She SMILES. He relaxes.
Young Bruce BOLTS out from under the trestle table - SPRINTS
for the back door. Rachel TEARS after him.
EXT. DISUSED KITCHEN GARDEN, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Young Bruce crouches in the mouth of a DISUSED WELL, peering
over the stone wall at Rachel, who searches for him.
2.
RACHEL
Bruce, I can see you.
Young Bruce suppresses a giggle- the BOARDS beneath him GIVE
WAY and he PLUMMETS into...
INT. OLD WELL -- CONTINUOUS
Young Bruce DROPS thirty feet- LANDS painfully on the rubble
strewn bottom of the shaft.
EXT. KITCHEN GARDEN, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel, hearing, RUNS to the well.
RACHEL
BRUCE?!!
INT. OLD WELL -- CONTINUOUS
Young Bruce lifts his head from damp dirt and rocks, groaning.
EXT. KITCHEN GARDEN, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel SPRINTS towards the house.
RACHEL
MOM!! MISTER ALFRED!!
INT. OLD WELL -- CONTINUOUS
Young Bruce, in shock, groans. He hears SQUEALING- freezes,
PEERING into the DARKNESS of an OPENING between rocks...
BATS EXPLODE from the darkness, filling the air. HE SCREAMSCURLS
against their flapping, squawking, fluttering BLACKNESS.
A JOLT: OLDER GREEN EYES FLICK OPEN, WAKING... in DARKNESS.
Filthy, sweating darkness... and we are in-
INT. BHUTANESE JAIL -- MORNING
The yes belong to a bearded, weathered, young man's face.
BRUCE WAYNE aged 28. An OLD ASIAN MAN sits staring at him.
OLD MAN
A dream?
WAYNE
A nightmare.
OLD MAN
Worse than this?
Their cell is a tin box. Light seeps through gaps in the
roof. Shouts ECHO. Wayne shrugs.
3.
EXT. PRISON COURTYARD -- LATER
Wayne and the Old Man line up for gruel. PRISONERS are
scattered in small groups. All eyes on Wayne.
OLD MAN
They are going to fight you.
WAYNE
I fought them yesterday.
OLD MAN
They will fight you every day. Until
they kill you.
Wayne holds out his plate. Watches gruel dribbled onto it.
WAYNE
Can't they kill me before breakfast?
Wayne turns from the table. His path is blocked by an
ENORMOUS MAN, backed by six aggressive prisoners. The
Enormous Man SMASHES his plate away.
ENORMOUS MAN
(broken English)
You are in hell, little man...
He PUNCHES Wayne- Wayne goes down hard.
ENORMOUS MAN (CONT'D)
...and I am the devil.
Wayne picks himself up. Dust himself off.
WAYNE
You're not the devil...
The Enormous Man SWINGS again- Wayne CATCHES his fist, KICKS
the big man's knee out an, as he goes down, BOOTS his face.
WAYNE (CONT'D)
...you're practice.
Six Prisoners RUSH Wayne all at once... Wayne fights
skillfully and hard, FLIPPING one prisoner into another,
KICKING as his arms are held... several Prisoners hit the
deck before- GUNFIRE- two GUARDS break it up, shooting into
the air... they GRAB Wayne.
GUARD
Solitary!
WAYNE
(indignant)
Why?
4.
GUARD
For protection.
WAYNE
I don't need protection.
The Guard points angrily at the unconscious prisoners.
GUARD
Protection for them.
INT. SOLITARY, BHUTANESE JAIL -- MOMENTS LATER
Wayne is tossed into the dank cell. The door SLAMS.
VOICE (O.S.)
I often wonder at the riches to be
found in dark places.
The voice is mellifluous. European. It comes from the
shadows of a deep corner of the cell.
WAYNE
I thought the point of solitary
confinement was the solitary part.
Wayne can make out the profile of a MAN seated in the corner.
MAN
These men have mistaken you for a
criminal, Mr.Wayne...
Wayne reacts to his name. The Man steps into the light:
powerfully-built, distinguished, in a well-cut SUIT AND TIE.
WAYNE
Who are you?
MAN
My name is merely Ducard. But I
speak for Ra's Al Ghul. Have you
heard the name?
WAYNE
I've heard the legends...master
warrior, international mercenary,
feared by the all the underworld...
some even swear he's immortal.
DUCARD
(smiles)
Ra's Al Ghul uses theatricality and
deception as powerful weapons.
Ducard approaches Wayne. Looks deep into his eyes.
5.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
You have not escaped his notice- a
man like you is here by choice... or
because he is truly lost.
Wayne's eyes flick away from Ducard's penetrating gaze.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Ra's Al Ghul and his League of Shadows
offer a path to those that are capable
of upholding our code.
WAYNE
Code? Aren't you criminals?
DUCARD
A criminal is simply a man that
someone else thinks...
(gestures around them)
...should be put in jail.
Wayne nods, conceding the point.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
This world is run by tyrants and
corrupt bureaucrats. Our code
respects only the natural order of
things- we're not bound by their
hypocrisy. Are you?
Ducard moves to the door. Knocks. It is opened by a guard.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
There is a rare flower- a blue doublebloomed
poppy- that grows on the
Eastern slopes. Tomorrow you will
be released. Pick one of the flowers.
If you can carry it to the top of
the mountain, you may find what you
are looking for.
WAYNE
And what am I looking for?
Ducard looks at Wayne with a glint in his eye.
DUCARD
Purpose.
The door slams shut leaving Wayne in DARKNESS...
INT. BOTTOM OF THE OLD WELL -- DAY (WAYNE'S MEMORY)
Silence. Young Bruce lies there, exhausted, weeping softly.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Bruce?
6.
Young Bruce looks up: a FIGURE, long coat billowing, is
lowered down the shaft... THOMAS WAYNE, Young Bruce's father.
EXT. GARDENS, WAYNE MANOR -- MOMENTS LATER
Thomas carries his son towards the house. At his side, a 50-
year-old man in a somber suit calmly coils a rope: ALFRED.
ALFRED
Will we be needing an ambulance,
Master Wayne?
THOMAS
We have everything I need to set the
bone. I'll take him for x-rays later.
ALFRED
Very good, sir.
They pass a tearful Rachel standing with her mother.
INT. HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Thomas carries Bruce up the main stairs. The house is vast
and grand, but full of flowers and life. Bruce's Mother
(MARTHA) appears at the landing, distraught.
THOMAS
(reassuring)
He'll be fine.
INT. BRUCE'S BEDROOM, WAYNE MANOR -- LATER
Alfred moves to the bedside. Looks down at Young Bruce.
ALFRED
Took quite a fall, didn't we?
Young Bruce looks up at Alfred. Manages a slight smile.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
And why do we fall, Master Bruce?
Alfred reaches up to the curtains. Young Bruce says nothing.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
So that we might better learn to
pick ourselves up.
Alfred smiles gently. PULLS the curtains shut, and we-
CUT TO:
An exquisite double-bloomed BLUE POPPY... and we are-
7.
EXT. HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS -- DAY
A field of the blue poppies. Wayne approaches. Picks one.
Studies its brilliant blue in the cold sunshine.
EXT. TINY HAMLET, HIMALAYAS -- DAY
Wayne, exhausted, freezing, hungry, wanders up the street.
As locals see him they head inside. DOORS SLAMMED, BOLTED.
CHILD (O.S.)
No one will help you.
Wayne turns to find a YOUNG CHILD STARING at him. The Child
POINTS at the blue flower pinned to Wayne's chest. An OLD
MAN appears at the Child's side.
WAYNE
(weak)
I need food.
OLD MAN
Then turn back.
Wayne looks at the Old Man. Then carries on up the mountain.
EXT. MOUNTAIN -- DAY
Wayne, struggles through DRIVING SNOW up an ICY RIDGE...
He clears the ridge, FLOPS down into the snow, Painfully
raises his scarf-wrapped face to the cutting wind to see a
MONASTERY perched on jagged rock.
EXT. HIMALAYAN FORTIFIED MONASTERY -- DAY
Wayne climbs up the steps to the VAST DOORS of the monastery.
Unwraps a severely FROSTBITTEN FIST. POUNDS against the icecovered
wood, knocks ECHOING deep within.
Nothing. Wayne lowers his forehead to the door, shoulders
wracked by SOBS, pounding accelerating to a FRENZY.
A GRINDING noise from within. Wayne STOPS, straightens.
The doors SWING OPEN to DARKNESS...
INT. GREAT HALL, MONASTERY -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne shuffles forward into a low-ceilinged wooden hall lit
by flickering lamps. Hands trembling, Wayne pulls at brittle
scarves. He STARTS as the doors THUD shut behind him.
At the far end, on a raised platform, sits a dark robbed
figure; RA'S AL GHUL. Wayne moves unsteadily towards him...
8.
WAYNE
(hoarse)
Ra's Al Ghul?
ARMED WARRIORS of various races emerge from the SHADOWS:
BOWS taut, SWORDS drawn... NINJAS. Wayne freezes.
DUCARD (O.S.)
Wait.
The Warriors hold. Wayne looks at the source of the command:
Ducard leans against a nearby pillar.
Wayne reaches into his layers of clothing. Pulls out the
DOUBLE-BLOOMED BLUE POPPY. Holds it out, shaking.
Ra's Al Ghul starts to speak in Urdu. Ducard TRANSLATES.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Fear has been your guide. But now
you must advance or fear will keep
you on your knees. We will help you
conquer your fear. In exchange you
will renounce the cities of man.
You will live in solitude. You will
be a member of the Leagues of Shadows.
And you will be without fear.
Ducard takes the flower. Considers its delicate blue petals.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Are you ready to begin?
Ducard threads the flower through the buttonhole of his lapel.
Wayne looks at Ducard, shaking with hunger and fatigue.
WAYNE
Ready? I... I can barely-
Ducard KICKS him- Wayne Crashes to the floor.
DUCARD
Death does not wait for you to be
ready...
Wayne crawls, gasping. Ducard STRIKES him in the ribs.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Death is not considerate, or fair.
And make no mistake- today, death is
your opponent.
Ducard turns- WHIPS his leg in a fearsome roundhouse KICK
aimed straight at Wayne's NECK-
-but Wayne BLOCKS the kick with a lateral movement of his
forearm. He stares at Ducard, eyes BLAZING. Ducard SMILES.
9.
Wayne RISES. Assumes a martial STANCE. Ducard STRIKESWayne
BLOCKS and PARRIES, driving his body through pain into
a series of FLUID, SKILLED moves...
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Tiger Crane... Ju Jitsu...
(smiles)
Skilled. But this is not a dance-
Ducard GRAPPLES Wayne, BRAWLING, BITING, ENERGIZED, MESSY...
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Facing death you learn the truth...
Ducard's head smashes Wayne's cheek- Wayne FALTERSDUCARD
(CONT'D)
You are weak...
Ducard SMASHES him in the groin.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
You are alone...
Ducard SLAMS Wayne's chin, sends him DOWN HARD.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
And you are afraid...
Ducard crouches at Wayne's side. Looks into his glazed eyes.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
(curious)
But not of me.
Ducard pulls the flower from his lapel. Leans in close to
replace it on Wayne's chest, his lips at Wayne's ear...
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Tell us, Wayne...
VIOLENT FLAPPING, SCREECHING BLACK RATS- swarming, chittering-
DUCARD (V.O.) (CONT'D)
(whispers)
What do you fear?
Young Bruce's eyes OPEN, and we are-
INT. BRUCE'S BEDROOM, WAYNE MANOR -- DAWN (WAYNE'S MEMORY)
Young Bruce, breathing hard. Light cuts across the
bedclothes. He looks to the door. Thomas is there.
THOMAS
(gentle)
The bats again?

Young Bruce nods. Thomas approaches. Sits on the bed.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
You know why they attacked you?
(off look)
They were afraid of you.
YOUNG BRUCE
Afraid of me?
THOMAS
You're a lot bigger than a bat, aren't
you? All creatures feel fear.
YOUNG BRUCE
(smiles)
Even the scary ones?
Thomas smiles back, reaches into his dressing gown pocket.
THOMAS
Especially the scary ones.
(thinks)
Here, let me show you something-
(freeze)
But you can't tell anyone, right?
Young Bruce nods, eager. Thomas pulls out a long jewel case.
He opens it: PEARLS glow in the half-light.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
For your mother.
Young Bruce GRINS. Thomas winks at him, SNAPS the case shut.
INT. ELEVATED TRAIN (MONORAIL) -- EVENING
Young Bruce watches the glory of Gotham glide past. His
parents beside him, dressed up- Martha idly stroking her
pearls. She smiles at Thomas.
YOUNG BRUCE
Did you build this train, Dad?
THOMAS
Your great-grandfather built the
first trains in Gotham. The city's
been good to our family- it was time
to give something back...
Thomas draws a CIRCLE in the CONDENSATION on the window...
THOMAS (CONT'D)
A new public transportation system
for the whole city...
Thomas draws SPOKES through the circle, creating a WHEEL.
11.
Thomas TAPS his diagram at the central HUB of the wheel,
then points through the glass to a tall 1930's SKYSCRAPER.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
...and at the cent... Wayne Tower.
EXT. GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
The monorail train TURNS INWARDS on a "SPOKE"... SHOOTING
towards the central station at the base of Wayne Tower.
INT. CONCOURSE, WAYNE STATION -- MOMENTS LATER
Young Bruce STARES at the MAGNIFICENT STATION. He looks up
through the vaulted glass ceiling... WAYNE TOWER rises
above... Rich ORCHESTRAL STRINGS rise, and we are-
INT. GOTHAM OPERA HOUSE -- LATER
A gilded house packed to the rafters for Boito's Mefistofle.
Young Bruce seated between his parents, On stage: WITCHLIKE
CREATURES cavort. DARK BIRDS on wires descend, FLAPPING.
Young Bruce STARES, uneasy, at their VIOLENT motions.
INSERT CUT: BATS EXPLODE FROM A DARK CREVICE.
Young Bruce starts breathing faster, STARES fixedly.
SCREECHING, FLAPPING BLACK BATS SWARM ALL AROUND...
Young Bruce, gulping PANIC breaths, looks around for an exitthey're
in the middle of a row. He GRABS his Dad's arm.
YOUNG BRUCE
(desperate whisper)
Can we go?!
Thomas stares at his son, confused. Martha looks over.
Young Bruce looks at his father, PLEADING. Thomas nods.
They make their way along the row, Thomas nodding apologies...
EXT. SIDE ALLEY, GOTHAM OPERA HOUSE -- CONTINUOUS
The Waynes emerge from a side exit. Martha crouches before
Bruce, tries to meet his eyes. He stares down, ashamed.
MARTHA
Bruce, what's wrong?
THOMAS
He's fine.
Martha looks up. Thomas gives her a conspiratorial look.
12.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
I just needed a bit of air. Bit of
opera goes a long way, right, Bruce?
Young Bruce looks up at his Dad, who winks. Young Bruce
smiles gratefully.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
Come one.
Thomas, coat over his arm, ushers his family down the dark
alley, heading for the WELCOMING GLOW of the main boulevard.
A FIGURE emerges from the shadows in front of them. A MAN.
With a GUN. Shifting uneasily.
MAN
Wallet, jewelry! Fast!
THOMAS
(calm tone)
That's fine, just take it easy.
Thomas hands Young Bruce his coat, then reaches for his
wallet. The Man JERKS the gun at Thomas, eyes DARTING.
Young Bruce stares up at the gun TREMBLING in the Man's hand.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
Here you go.
The man GRABS at the wallet but FUMBLES it. It FALLS. The
Man glances down at the wallet then back to Thomas, scared.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
(reassuring tone)
It's fine, it's fine...
The Man crouches for the wallet, eyes on Thomas.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
...just take it and go.
The Man feels for the wallet, looks at Martha. Her pearls.
MAN
I said jewelry!!
She starts pulling off her rings. The Man JERKS the gun at
her neck. Thomas STEPS protectively in front of his wife.
THOMAS
Hey, just-
BOOM. Young Bruce FLINCHES. Thomas looks down at his
bleeding chest. Then back to the Man, saddened.
13.
Thomas CRUMPLES. Martha SCREAMS. The Man REACHES for
Martha's pearls- but she SCREAMS desperately for Thomas.
MARTHA
THOMAS!! THOMAS!!
MAN
Gimme the damn...
But Martha FLAILS, trying to grab her fallen husband.
The Man SHOOTS her. Then YANKS at her necklace, which BREAKS.
Spilling PEARLS all over the asphalt.
The Man stands. Turns to Young Bruce. Who STARES at him.
Uncomprehending. The Man cannot bear the boy's gaze...
And then he RUNS. Young Bruce looks at the bodies of his
parents. DROPS to his knees, head down: PEARLS dot the
asphalt beneath him. Some of them are bloody.
Young Bruce starts to SHIVER.
INT. POLICE STATION -- NIGHT
CHAOS: REPORTERS and COPS vying for a piece of the crime of
the decade. In the Captain's office, Young Bruce.
Bewildered, forgotten. Still clutching his father's overcoat.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Is that your father's?
Young Bruce looks up: a young beat cop stands over him- JIM
GORDON (29). Gordon crouches, reaches for the coat. Young
Bruce huddles over it, protective.
GORDON
(reassuring)
It's okay.
Gordon's tone prompts Young Bruce to trust him. Gordon takes
the coat, DRAPES it gently across Young Bruce's shoulders.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
GORDON! You gotta stick your nose
into everything!
Gordon turns to CAPTAIN LOEB, who glares at him.
CAPTAIN LOEB
Outta my sight.
Gordon NODS at Young Bruce, whose eyes wish Gordon would
stay. Gordon leaves. Loeb turns to Young Bruce.
CAPTAIN LOEB (CONT'D)
Good news... we got him, son.
14.
Young Bruce looks up at him dazed. Uncertain.
EXT. GROUNDS, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY
Snow falls over two open graves. MOURNERS disperse, guided
by SECURITY GUARDS. Alfred stands with Young Bruce. A man
approaches, EARLE (47). He nods at Alfred, crouching.
EARLE
(indicates Alfred)
You're in excellent hands, Bruce.
And we're minding the empire. When
you're all grown up, it'll be waiting.
Young Bruce looks blankly at Earle.
EXT. WAYNE MANOR -- LATER
Mourners file towards the gates. Rachel walks with her
mother. Looks up at Bruce's high window. Sees him watching.
Waves. Young Bruce pauses, then returns the wave.
INT. BRUCE'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Alfred enters. Looks tenderly at Young Bruce's back.
ALFRED
I thought I'd prepare a little supper.
No response. Alfred turns.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
Very well.
YOUNG BRUCE (O.S.)
Alfred?
Alfred turns back. Young Bruce is looking at him with TEARS
POURING down his cheeks. Alfred tilts his head.
ALFRED
(voice catching)
Master Bruce?
YOUNG BRUCE
It was my fault, Alfred.
Alfred's mouth opens.
YOUNG BRUCE (CONT'D)
I made them leave the theater-
ALFRED
Oh, no, no, no-
Alfred moves to Young Bruce, taking the boy in his arms.
15.
YOUNG BRUCE
If I hadn't got scared-
ALFRED
No, no, Master Bruce. Nothing you
did. Nothing anyone ever did can
excuse that man.
Alfred holds Young Bruce away to look directly into his eyes.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
It's his, and his alone. Do you
understand?
Young Bruce nods. Then BURIES his face in Alfred's chest,
sobbing.
YOUNG BRUCE
I miss them, Alfred. I miss them so
much.
ALFRED
(whispering)
So do I, Master Bruce. So do I.
Tears well in Alfred's eyes as he HOLDS the boy, watching
snowflakes swirl past the window.
DUCARD (V.O.)
And do you still feel responsible?
INT. PASSAGEWAY, MONASTERY -- DAY
Ducard leads Wayne along a screened passage overlooking
extraordinary mountains.
WAYNE
My anger outweighs my guilt.
Ducard opens a door...
INT. DOJO, MONASTERY -- DAY
Leads Wayne onto a MEZZANINE LEVEL stacked with boxes and
bottles. NINJAS pour powders into packets, mixing compounds.
Ducard takes a pinch of a powder- throws it down- BANG!
Wayne FLINCHES- Ducard SMILES good-naturedly.
DUCARD
Advanced techniques of Ninjitsu employ
explosive powders.
WAYNE
As weapons?
16.
DUCARD
Or distractions. Theatricality and
deception are powerful agents.
Ducard hands Wayne a pinch of the powder.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
To be a great warrior is not enough.
Flesh and blood, however skilled,
can be destroyed... you must be more
than just a man in the minds of your
opponents.
Wayne listens to this. Tosses the powder- BANG!
EXT. FROZEN LAKE, HIMALAYAS -- DAY
Wayne and Ducard CIRCLE each other on the ICE, SWORDS poised
to strike. Dark figures in the white and blue landscape.
Ducard STRIKES at Wayne, who DEFLECTS the blow using a SILVER
GAUNTLET with THREE SCALLOPS (thick, hook-like projections).
Ducard SKIDS left, breath STEAMING, feinting with his sword.
Wayne steps sideways on the ice, his foot landing on a thin
patch which CREAKS, water BUBBLING underneath.
DUCARD
Mind your surrounding. Always.
Wayne STRIKES- Ducard BLOCKS with his own BRONZE GAUNTLET.
Wayne SLIPS right and FLIES IN with a short THRUST- Ducard's
arm flips down in a backhand move-
Ducard CATCHES Wayne's sword in one of his SCALLOPS.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Your parent's death was not your
fault...
Ducard ROTATES his arm, WRENCHING Wayne's sword from his
grasp- it SKIDS along the ice.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
...it was your father's.
Wayne, ENRAGES, dives at Ducard, SWINGING at him with the
scallops, FURIOUS, RECKLESS. Ducard parries with his sword,
they LOCK- noses inches apart, Wayne BREATHING... ANGRY...
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Anger does not change the fact that
your father failed to act.
WAYNE
The man had a gun!
17.
DUCARD
Would that stop you?
WAYNE
I've had training-
DUCARD
The training is nothing. The will
to take control is everything. Your
father trusted his city, its logic...
he thought he understood the attacker
and could simply give him what he
wanted...
Wayne considers this... breathing slowing... CALMER... they
separate.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
(gently)
Your father did not understand the
forces of decay- cities like Gotham
are in their death throes- chaotic,
grotesque. Beyond saving.
WAYNE
Beyond saving? You believe that?
Ducard regards the harshly beautiful landscape.
DUCARD
It is not right that one must come
so far to see the world as it is
meant to be. Purity. Serenity...
Solitude. These are the qualities
we hold dear. But the important
thing is whether you believe it...
Wayne stares at Ducard.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Can Gotham can be saved, or is she
an ailing ancestor whose time has
run?
Ducard STRIKES DOWN at Wayne with his sword. Wayne BLOCKS
the strike with FOREARMS CROSSED, SLIDES BETWEEN DUCARD'S
LEGS across the ice to where his sword lies.
GRASPING his sword he SPINS, SWEEPING at Ducard's feet.
Ducard LEAPS- Wayne CATCHES his foot, brings him down onto
the ice. Wayne THRUSTS his sword at Ducard's throat-
STOPS INCHES from Ducard's bare neck. Ducard freezes, arms
at his sides. Wayne looks down at Ducard, SMILING in triumph.
WAYNE
Yield.
18.
Ducard smiles. Shakes his head.
DUCARD
You haven't beaten me. You've
sacrificed sure footing for a killing
stroke.
Ducard TAPS the ice beneath Wayne's feet with his sword- the
ice gives way, PLUNGING Wayne through the surface.
EXT. SHORE, FROZEN LAKE -- EVENING
Ducard feeds a small FIRE. Wayne RUBS his arms, SHIVERING
violently against hypothermia. Ducard looks at him.
DUCARD
Don't rub your arms, rub your chest.
Your arms'll take care of themselves.
Wayne rubs his torso, NODS at Ducard. Ducard feeds the fire.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
You have strength born of years of
grief and anger, Wayne. The strength
of a man denied revenge.
Even in his shivering, Wayne REACTS to this.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Why, Wayne..?
INT. WAYNE STATION PLATFORM -- DAY (WAYNE'S MEMORY)
A monorail pulls into the platform. Disgorges passengers.
DUCARD (V.O.)
Why could you not avenge your parents?
Amongst them, Bruce, AGED 20, holding a bag. He sees Alfred,
now 62, craning his neck, SEARCHING. He waves.
BRUCE
You didn't have to pick me up-
ALFRED
Well, sir, the red line... well,
it's closed. Apparently Mr.Earle
thought it wasn't making enough money.
INT. CONCOURSE, WAYNE STATION -- MOMENTS LATER
Bruce looks sadly at the DECAY to his father's station: glass
CRACKED, marble chipped, HOMELESS bundled in shuttered
storefronts... He looks up through the sparing glass: WAYNE
TOWER looms overhead, gold lettering catching the sun...
19.
BRUCE
How is Mr.Earle?
ALFRED
Oh... successful.
INT. ROLLS ROYCE -- LATER
Alfred glances at Bruce in the rear-view mirror.
ALFRED
Will you be heading back to Princeton
tomorrow or could I persuade you to
spend an extra night or two?
BRUCE
I'm not heading back at all.
ALFRED
You don't like it there?
Bruce smiles, sardonic. Looks out at the trees flashing by.
BRUCE
I like it fine... they just don't
feel the same way.
Alfred purses his lips, IRRITATED.
EXT. WAYNE MANOR -- MOMENTS LATER
Bruce STARES up at house. Alfred pulls the bag out of the
car and, to Bruce's surprise, DROPS it at Bruce's feet.
INT. WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Alfred leads Bruce up the main staircase. The house is now
dark and empty. Dust-cloths cover much of the furniture.
ALFRED
(tense)
I've prepared the master bedroom.
BRUCE
My old room will be fine.
ALFRED
(stern)
With all due respect, sir, your father
is dead. Wayne Manor is your house.
BRUCE
(irritated)
No, alfred, his isn't my house.
(gestures)
It's a mausoleum.
(MORE)

BRUCE (CONT'D)
A reminder of everything I lost.
And when I have my way I'll pull the
damn thing down brick by brick-
Alfred turns on Bruce, angry.
ALFRED
This house, Master Wayne, has
sheltered six generations of the
Wayne family, and stood patiently by
while you've cavorted in and out of
a dozen private schools and colleges.
As have I.
Bruce stares at Alfred. Eyes burning. Chastened.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
(softer)
The Wayne family legacy is not so
easily shrugged off.
BRUCE
(sadly)
Nor borne, old friend. I'm sorry to
have disappointed you.
ALFRED
Master Wayne... I was at your father's
side when you were born. And at your
side when he was laid to rest.
BRUCE
(voice catching)
I know.
ALFRED
Your father was a great man. But I
have every confidence that you will
exceed his greatness.
BRUCE
Haven't given up on me, yet?
ALFRED
(conviction)
Never.
Bruce sags under the burden of Alfred's faith. He opens the
door to his bedroom, then turns back to Alfred...
BRUCE
I may not get another chance to thank
you for all you've done for me.
Alfred looks at him, curious.
21.
ALFRED
Are you going away after the hearing?
Bruce shrugs, hard to read. Then enters his old bedroom.
INT. BRUCE'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Bruce puts his bag on the bed. Looks around the room.
At the mantel, Bruce stares at a framed photograph: Young
Bruce on his Dad's shoulders, arms raised in triumph. Bruce
wipes dust from the photograph. Smiles at it.
INSERT CUT: Young bruce on Thomas's shoulders- thomas TIPS
back, threatening to drop Young bruce who LAUGHS and LAUGHS.
Bruce moves to the bed. Opens his case.
Inside it is a GUN.
EXT. GATES, WAYNE MANOR -- MORNING
Rachel, now 23, stands by her car looking up at the house.
She can see Bruce in the window. She gives a small wave.
INT. BRUCE'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Bruce returns Rachel's wave. Then FINISHES LOADING HIS GUN.
EXT. GATES, WAYNE MANOR -- MOMENTS LATER
Bruce walks down the drive to Rachel. He smiles gently.
BRUCE
You look well. "Assistant District
Attorney", right?
RACHEL
(nods, smiles)
You still trying to get kicked out
of the entire ivy league?
BRUCE
(shakes head, smiling)
Turns out you don't actually need a
degree to do the international playboy
thing.
Rachel smiles. Looks down at her shoes. Then back to Bruce.
RACHEL
Bruce, I don't suppose there's any
way I can convince you not to come-
22.
BRUCE
(cold)
Someone at this proceeding should
stand for my parents.
RACHEL
Bruce, we all loved your parents.
What Chill did is unforgivable-
BRUCE
Then why is your boss letting him
go?
RACHEL
Because in prison he shared a cell
with carmine Falcone. He learned
things and he'll testify in exchange
for early parole.
Bruce shakes his head, opens the car door. Rachel sighs.
INT./EXT. RACHEL'S CAR ON FREEWAY, GOTHAM -- MORNING
Rachel's car heads towards the golden spires of Gotham.
Bruce stares out the window in silence.
INT. RACHEL'S CAR -- MOMENTS LATER
Rachel pulls into the PARKING LOT of the COURTHOUSE. Parks.
Bruce looks at her through the strained silence.
BRUCE
Rachel, this man killed my parents.
I cannot let that pass.
Rachel almost says something. Then SHRUGS.
BRUCE (CONT'D)
Rachel, I need you to understand.
Rachel looks at Bruce. Considering. Gently NODS. Bruce
nods back. Rachel opens her door and starts getting out.
Bruce slips out his GUN, placing it on the ground behind the
front wheel of Rachel's car as he gets out.
INT. COURTHOUSE -- DAY
A small bureaucratic proceeding. A five person PANEL. Bruce
sits amongst the OBSERVERS. Watching the back of Chili's
head. Rachel's boss, FINCH, addresses the panel.
FINCH
Given the exemplary prison record of
Mr.Chill, the 14 years already served
(MORE)
23.
FINCH (CONT'D)
And his extraordinary level of
cooperation with one of this office's
most important investigations... we
strongly endorse Mr.Chill's petition
for early release.
The CHAIRMAN nods, consults his paperwork.
CHAIRMAN
I gather a member of the Wayne family
is here today...
Chill REACTS, TURNING. Bruce STUDIES his weathered face.
CHAIRMAN (CONT'D)
...does he have anything to say?
Chill notices Wayne's cold eyes. Has to look away. Bruce
RISES, walks out, all eyes on him. Including Rachel's.
EXT. PARKING LOT, COURTHOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER
Bruce MOVES to Rachel's car. Picks up his GUN, stuffs it up
the sleeve of his overcoat. Waits.
The side exit opens and two COPS come out. A shout goes up
from the pressmen around the front of the courthouse.
REPORTERS
They're taking him out the side!!
REPORTERS swarm around the building as Chill emerges.
REPORTER1
Chill, any words for the Wayne
family?!!
Chill, head down, presses on. Bruce straightens. Breathes.
Starts WALKING towards Chill. A Reporter SPOTS him.
REPORTER2
It's Bruce Wayne!
The Reporters clear a path, eager for a confrontation.
BLONDE FEMALE REPORTER
Joe! Hey Joe!!
This one catches Chill's eye- blonde, local t.v. type.
Bruce's hand DROPS to his side as he MOVES... he's BREATHING
HARD... THINKING... DECIDING...
BLONDE FEMALE REPORTER (CONT'D)
Falcone says hi!!
24.
She THRUSTS a gun at Chill's chest and FIRES. Chill DROPSBruce
STOPS in his tracks. Reporters DIVE for cover- COPS
jump on the Blonde Reporter, pinning her...
Bruce. Fifteen feet away. Loaded gun up his sleeve. Face
as uncomprehending as the night Chill killed his parents.
Rachel moves to Bruce, pulling him away from the chaos.
RACHEL
Come one, Bruce. Come on, we don't
need to see this.
Bruce yanks his arm away.
BRUCE
I do.
INT. RACHEL'S CAR -- EVENING
Rachel drives. Bruce sits there, hands in his lap. Staring.
Rachel glances over at him. Then pulls over. Turns to him.
RACHEL
(gentle)
Are you okay?
BRUCE
(distant)
All these years I wanted to kill
him. Now he's gone. Now I can't.
RACHEL
You don't mean that.
BRUCE
(bitter)
What if I do, Rachel? Chill killed
my parents. They deserved justice.
Rachel looks at him, appalled.
RACHEL
You're not talking about justice,
you're talking about revenge.
BRUCE
Sometimes they're the same.
RACHEL
They're never the same, Bruce.
Justice is about harmony... revenge
is about you making yourself feel
better. That's why we have an
impartial system-
Rachel pulls out into the street.
25.
BRUCE
Well, your system of justice is broken-
RACHEL
Don't you tell me the system's broken,
Bruce! I'm out here every day trying
to fix it while you mope around using
your grief as an excuse to do nothing.
You care about justice..?
Rachel YANKS the wheel-
EXT. FREEWAY, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel's car SCREECHES across two lanes, onto an EXIT RAMP.
INT./EXT. RACHEL'S CAR ON SURFACE STREETS -- CONTINUOUS
The streets below are DARK, crowded and THREATENINGRACHEL
Look beyond your own pain, Bruce.
Rachel gestures at the filthy streets. Down dark alleysshadowy
figures conduct business.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
This city is rotting. Chill is not
the cause, he's the effect.
Corruption is killing Gotham and
Chill being dead doesn't help thatit
makes it worse because Falcone
walks. He carries on flooding our
city with crime and drugs... creating
new Joe Chills... Falcone may not
have killed your parents, Bruce, but
he's destroying everything they stood
for...
They pull up in front of a BASEMENT CLUB.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
They all know where to find Falcone...
(gestures at club)
But no one will touch him because he
keeps the bad people rich and the
good people scared.
Rachel turns on Bruce.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
(quiet)
And what chance does Gotham have
when the good people do nothing?
She pokes him in the chest. Bruce looks down at her finger.
26.
BRUCE
I'm not one of your "good people",
Rachel. Chill took that from me.
Rachel looks at Bruce strangely.
RACHEL
What do you mean?
Bruce pulls up his sleeve. Turns his hand over. Rachel
stares at the GUN in his hand, SHOCKED.
BRUCE
I was going to kill him myself.
She looks at Bruce. Then SLAPS him. Bruce does nothing.
Rachel SLAPS him again and again... Nothing. She stops.
Tears flowing.
RACHEL
You're no better than the rest.
Rachel points at the gun. Looks into Bruce's eyes.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Your father would be ashamed of you.
Bruce stares at Rachel. Opens his door.
EXT. DOCK AREA, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
Bruce watches Rachel's car disappear. Turns to look at the
line of SHIPS in the harbor. He makes his way to the water.
Takes out his gun. Turns it, STUDIES the light off its metal-
INSERT CUT: the TREMBLING BARREL of Chill's gun, inches from
Thomas Wayne's chest.
Bruce, with contempt, FLINGS his gun into the black water.

EXT. BASEMENT CLUB, FACING DOCKS -- LATER
Bruce walks towards the entrance. A BOUNCER steps out,
looking at him with contempt.
BOUNCER
Get lost, kid.
Bruce pulls a massive wad of cash from his pocket. Splits
it in two. Offers one half.
BRUCE
The other half when you give me the
nod that Falcone's leaving. Unawares.
The Bouncer looks at Bruce. Takes the money.
27.
EXT. BASEMENT CLUB, FACING DOCKS -- LATER
Bruce watches the entrance from the shadows. Two THUGS escort
a thickset man out of a club. The Bouncer waves-
BOUNCER
'Night, Mr.Falcone.
The three men move towards a waiting limo-
WHAM- one Thug takes a kick to the head, goes down- Bruce
steps from the shadows- the Second Thug goes for his gun-
Bruce GRABS his arm- CHOPS his throat- JUDO FLIPS the thug...
Bruce turns to Falcone who looks at him, curious.
FALCONE
The little rich kid. No gun? I'm
insulted.
The First Thug lunges at Bruce with a KNIFE- Bruce puts him
down with a graceful SWEEPBRUCE
I don't need a gun.
FALCONE
Yes, you do.
CLICK. A gun is at bruce's head. Held by the Bouncer
FALCONE (CONT'D)
Money isn't power down here- fear
is.
The Bouncer pistol whips him once, hard. Bruce goes down.
The Bouncer drops Bruce's money onto him.
FALCONE (CONT'D)
You shoulda just sent me a thank-you
note...
Bruce looks up at Falcone. Spits blood.
BRUCE
I didn't come here to thank-you. I
came to show you that nit everyone
in Gotham is afraid of you.
FALCONE
(laughs)
Just those that know me. You got
balls, kid...
(cold)
But you don't belong down here with
us. We don't play fair.
(MORE)
28.
FALCONE (CONT'D)
Now go back to your big house, wrap
yourself in your silk sheets and
I'll send you a shoulder to cry on.
BRUCE
You don't dress well enough to be a
pimp.
Falcone lights a cigar. Stares down at bruce. Ice.
FALCONE
You miss your Mommy and Daddy? Come
down here again, I send you to them.
Falcone turns. His thugs get into the limo with him. Bruce
watches it slide into the night. Struggles to his feet...
Bruce walks the docks, wiping blood from his mouth. SHADOWS
in doorways mark his progress. Three YOUTHS approach. Bruce
stiffens, but they cross the street to avoid him.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
No one'll mess with ya.
Bruce turns. A HOMELESS MAN warming at a flaming oil drum.
One of many HOMELESS clustered around the docks.
HOMELESS MAN
Wander 'round here dressed like that,
means you got something to prove.
Man with something to prove is
dangerous.
Bruce STARES at the man. Thinking. Takes out his wallet.
Removes the money. Hands it to the Homeless Man.
HOMELESS MAN (CONT'D)
For what?
BRUCE
Your jacket.
Bruce DROPS his wallet into the fire. The Homeless Man
LAUGHS. Bruce pulls off his tie, throws it into the fire.
He pulls off his overcoat, bundles it up ready to-
HOMELESS MAN
Lemme have it, that's a good coat.
Bruce looks at the Homeless Man, who has removed his own.
They EXCHANGE clothing.
BRUCE
Be careful who sees you with that.
(off look)
They're gonna come looking for me.
29.
HOMELESS MAN
Who?
Bruce smiles.
BRUCE
Everyone.
Bruce, less incongruous in his "new" coat, moves down towards
the stacks of containers...
Bruce wanders the stacks. A HORN sounds. Bruce's eyes lock
onto the ship preparing to leave. Bruce runs towards it
trough the shadows...
DUCARD (O.S.)
And when you left Gotham...
And we are-
EXT. HIMALAYAN MONASTERY -- DAY
DUCARD
...what were you seeking?
Ducard LEAPS up onto a STONE WALL. GRABBING ON using pikes
on his palms and on his feet. Wayne watches.
WAYNE
To lose myself. I couldn't do
anything as Bruce Wayne. I felt
useless.
Ducard gestures up to the top of the 50-ft wall.
DUCARD
Perhaps you can beat my record.
Bruce JUMPS up onto the wall, HIGHER than Ducard. Confident.
WAYNE
How long?
DUCARD
Two days.
(off look)
The test is not to see how quickly
you can climb, but how slowly. The
Ninja is thought invisible, but
invisibility is largely a matter of
patience.
Ducard reaches up for another handhold. Slowly.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
On your journey... you sought
knowledge of the criminal world?
30.
WAYNE
(nods)
I needed to understand the thoughts
and feelings of those who stand in
the shadows...
CUT TO:
EXT. CROWDED MARKET, AFRICAN PORT TOWN -- EVENING (MEMORY)
WAYNE (V.O.)
The first time you're forced to steal
not to starve...
Bruce picks up a mango from a stack to examine it. As he
does so he uses his lower hand to slip a PLUM into his pocket.
EXT. ALLEY, AFRICAN PORT TOWN -- LATER
Bruce squats in a doorway. Bites hungrily into his plum.
He looks up. A CHILD in rags sits in the next doorway,
STARING. Bruce stares back, juice dripping.
WAYNE (V.O.)
...you lose many assumptions about
the simple nature of right and wrong.
Bruce hands the Child the plum. Licks his fingers. Hard.
INT. TRAIN STATION, LONDON -- DAY
Bruce (bearded, filthy) in a crowd, with an ELDERLY MAN.
WAYNE (V.O.)
I needed to feel the fear before a
crime...
The Elderly Man SPOTS a BUSINESSMAN hurrying along- STEPS
into his path, engineering a COLLISION, tumbling to the
pavement. The Businessman and Bruce both CROUCH to help.
WAYNE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And the thrill of success...
Bruce SLIPS the Businessman's wallet out of his pocket. The
Businessman moves off. Bruce shows the Elderly Man the wallet
for APPROVAL. Then HURRIES after the Businessman.
WAYNE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
...without becoming one of them.
Bruce CATCHES the Businessman, gives him the wallet. The
Businessman thanks Bruce- noticing his destitution, he HANDS
Bruce a banknote. Bruce nods thanks.
31.
INT. WAREHOUSE, UNDER THE ARCHES, EASTERN EUROPE -- NIGHT
Bruce tries to crack a safe under the supervision of a YOUNG
TOUGH. The Young Tough shakes his head, spins the dial and
whips open the safe. Showing Wayne the action.
WAYNE (V.O.)
I thought I would find something...
INT. SMOKE-FILLED BACKROOM, SHANGHAI -- NIGHT
At a table with a CHINESE BOSS and SEVEN CRIMINALS drinking,
laughing, showing each other their spoils (watches, phones).
WAYNE (V.O.)
I thought I would learn what I needed
to do with my skills and my anger...
INT. WAREHOUSE, SHANGHAI -- DAY
A TRUCK races through the door. Two Criminals yank the doors
shut after. Bruce and the Boss jumps down from the cab.
WAYNE
But the harder I looked the less I
saw. The less I knew...
Bruce turns to the Boss wary.
BRUCE
Where's this friend of yours?
BOSS
(shrugs)
Not friend. Friend of friend.
Bruce rolls his eyes. Looks at the Boss with contempt.
WAYNE (V.O.)
Until I wasn't even sure what I'd
been looking for in the first place...
The doors EXPLODE COPS burst in, shouting in Mandarin.

INT. SAME -- LATER
The back of the truck is opened. Cops inventory piles of
BOXES pulled out of the back.
WAYNE (V.O.)
And I was lost.
Bruce sits in a line of criminals, bands cuffed behind back.
A Cop YANKS him to his feet, hauling him over to an OFFICER.
32.
COP
(in Mandarin)
He refuses to give his name.
The Officer smiles solicitously at Bruce.
OFFICER
(in Mandarin)
Fool- this is china, you're a
criminal, what the hell do I care
what your name is?
BRUCE
(in fluent Mandarin)
I'm not a criminal.
The Officer, surprised, waves Bruce away. Looks at the truck.
OFFICER
(in accented English)
Tell that to the guys who owned these!
He KICKS a BOX: CLOSE ON the WAYNE INDUSTRIES logo.
CUT TO:
EXT. WALL, HIMALAYAN MONASTERY -- DAWN
Wayne and Ducard cling to the wall just short of the roof,
eyes LOCKED. Both are in AGONY, sweat-drenched, STRAINING.
Ducard BLINKS. REACHES for the roof and pulls himself up.
Wayne closes his eyes in relief. Ducard pulls Wayne up onto
the roof. They lie there in the half-light. Ducard turns
to Wayne. Puts a hand on his shoulder. Proud.
DUCARD
You are ready.
INT. THRONE ROOM -- NIGHT
Close on Wayne's BLUE POPPY- now SHRIVELED DRY- on the altar.
Wayne, clad in black ninja uniform watches as Ducard, also
in black, picks it up, takes a pestle and mortar, drops in
the dried flower, and grinds it to dust.
Ducard pours the dust into a small brazier. Lights it.
Motions to Wayne, who approaches the smoking altar.
DUCARD
Drink in your fears. Face them.
Wayne breathes the smoke. He shakes his head, REACTING to
the effects of the smoke... his mind is plagued by IMAGES:
Chill's trembling gun- Young Bruce FALLING- Thomas STAGGERING-
33.
Ducard puts on his ninja mask. Motions Wayne to do the same.
Wayne STRUGGLES to think through the effects of the smoke...
WAYNE
Why The masks?
As if in reply, DOZENS of NINJAS step forward from the
shadows: the hall is filled with identical Ninjas. Ducard
has melted into the crowd. Wayne raises his guard...
DUCARD
To conquer fear, you must become
fear... you must bask in the fear of
other men... and men fear most what
they cannot see-
Ducard STRIKES at Wayne- Wayne SPINS, PARRIES- but Ducard
has gone. The Ninjas movie in unison, forming WALLS...
DUCARD (CONT'D)
It is not enough to be a man... you
have to become an idea... a terrible
thought... a wraith-
The Ninja nearest Wayne TURNS and SLASHES- it is Ducard.
Wayne LEAPS sideways, ROLLING through the wall of Ninjas. He
looks at his arm- it has been slashed, the uniform torn a
dead giveaway. Wayne looks around, crouched, READY...
One wall of Ninjas PARTS, revealing a WOODEN BOX. Wayne
stares at it, MIND SPINNING from the smoke.
DUCARD (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Face your fear...
Wayne cautiously approaches the box. Carefully lifts the
lid. PEERS inside...
BATS EXPLODE from the box, FILLING the air- Wayne dives away
from the box, STARING up at the squawking bats- flinching...
Ducard LEAPS at Wayne, who ROLLS sideways, blocking- Wayne
turns to face Ducard, but he is lost in the Ninjas, bats
filling the air, Wayne FLINCHING with their attacks...
Wayne stays low, SLASHES the arm of the Ninja nearest himthe
man does not move. Wayne turns. Fighting to THINK.
A Ninja paces softly through the crowd, as he speaks, we can
tell this is Ducard...
DUCARD (CONT'D)
Become one with the darkness...
Ducard falls in behinds a Ninja with a SLASHED SLEEVE... He
KNOCKS him to his knees, sword against throat-
34.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
You cannot leave any sign...
Ducard pulls off his own mask. Disappointed.
WAYNE (O.S.)
I haven't.
A SWORD IS AT DUCARD'S NECK- Wayne is behind him, pulling
off his mask. Ducard looks around... several of the Ninjas
around them have slashed sleeves. Ducard smiles.
The Ninjas TURN, in unison, and sit.
Ra's Al Ghul is seated on a small stage at the head of the
room. Ducard leads Wayne to sit down in front of Ra's. A
Ninja places a tray between them: a bottle and a burning
candle. Ducard places the candle in front of Wayne and hands
him a small glass. Ra's Al Ghul begins speaking in Urdu.
DUCARD
We have purged your fear. You are
ready to lead these men. You are
ready to become a member of the League
of Shadows. Drink.
Wayne tips back the glass. Strong stuff.
DUCARD (CONT'D)
By blowing out this candle you
renounce your mortal life. You
renounce forever the cities of man.
You dedicate your life to solitude.
Wayne leans forward to blow out the candle. PAUSES. Looks
at the rows of seated Ninjas.
WAYNE
Where will I be leading these men?
DUCARD
You will need them in Gotham.
WAYNE
You want me to go back to Gotham?
Ra's stares at Wayne. Starts speaking...
DUCARD
You yourself are a victim of Gotham's
decay. That is why you came here,
and that is why you must go back.
You will assume the mantle of your
birthright. As Gotham's favored son
you will be ideally placed...

WAYNE
For what?
DUCARD
To help us destroy the city.
WAYNE
What?!
DUCARD
When Gotham falls, the other cities
will follow in short order. Nature's
balance will be restored and Man
will finally return to solitude.
Wayne turns to Ducard.
WAYNE
You can't believe in this.
Ducard looks at Wayne, troubled.
DUCARD
Ra's Al Ghul has rescued you from
the darkest corner of your own
heart... what he asks in return is
obedience. And the courage to do
what is necessary.
Wayne stares down at the flickering candle. At the bottle.
Wayne FLICKS his sword out, SMASHING the bottle, TIPPING the
candle- FLAMES spread across the wooden floor-
DUCARD (CONT'D)
(reaching to extinguish
flames)
What are you doing?
WAYNE
What's necessary.
Wayne STRIKES Ducard in the head with the butt of his sword,
DOUSES his mask in the liquid fire and TOSSES it back into
the mezzanine where the explosive powders are stored...
Ra's LEAPS from his throne, STRIKING at Wayne with his sword-
Wayne parries- EXPLOSIONS roar from the balcony, shooting
flame across the ceiling- Ra's and Wayne fight as EXPLOSIONS
surround them...
Wayne LEAPS clear as FLAMING DEBRIS collapses onto Ra's,
CRUSHING him... the flames are rising, Ninja bodies are strewn
around, fresh explosions rip across the hall as Ninjas flee
and Wayne spots Ducard lying unconscious.
36.
Wayne PICKS UP Ducard, hauls him out of the Throne room,
into a passage, SMASHING THROUGH an ornate screen...
EXT. MOUNTAINS -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne and Ducard CRASH down onto a steep slope of ice and
rock, the monastery exploding above them... Wayne rolls over,
GRABS a rock, looks across to see-
Ducard UNCONSCIOUS, SLIDING down the icy slope. His limp
form ROTATES, spinning as his body gathers MOMENTUM, rushing
towards the EDGE of the CLIFF...
Wayne DIVES AFTER HIM, SLIDING HEAD-FIRST down the ice...
the cliff closer and closer as Wayne RACES after Ducard...
MERE FEET FROM THE CLIFF EDGE, Wayne GRABS Ducard- raises
his free GAUNTLET-CLAD ARM, and SMASHES AT THE ICE, DIGGING
IN with the BRONZE SCALLOPS... STOPPING on the edge- Ducard
HANGS LIMPLY over a tremendous drop- Wayne STRUGGLES with
the dead weight. Wayne PULLS Ducard up onto the ice.
BREATHING.
EXT. TINY HAMLET, HIMALAYAS -- DAY
Wayne CARRIES Ducard down the road.
INT. SHERPA'S HUT -- MOMENTS LATER
Wayne KICKS the door open. The Old Man he saw on his way up
the mountain stares back at him. Then motions Wayne to put
Ducard down onto some mats. The Old Man wipes blood from
Ducard's temple. Looks at Wayne, who is moving to the door...
OLD MAN
I will tell him you saved his life.
Wayne stops. Turns. Looks back at Ducard.
WAYNE
Tell him... I have an ailing ancestor
who needs me.
Wayne puts his hands together in formal salute. Bows.
INT. CLIMBER'S BAR, BHUTAN -- DAY
A smoky inn, full of SHERPAS and CLIMBERS. Wayne enters,
FILTHY, RAGGED. Conversation CEASES. Everyone STARES.
INT. SAME -- MOMENTS LATER
Wayne uses a phone at the bar, waiting for an answer-
ALFRED (O.S.)
Wayne residence.
37.
Wayne SMILES at Alfred's familiar voice.
WAYNE
(hoarse)
Alfred.
ALFRED
(unflappable)
Master Wayne. It's been some time.
WAYNE
Yes. Yes it has. I need a ride.
ALFRED
And where are we, sir?
Wayne glances around.
WAYNE
Bhutan, I think.
A curious Sherpa nearby NODS at Wayne.
ALFRED
Am I to assume that you're without
money and passport?
WAYNE
I'm traveling a bit light, yes.
ALFRED
I believe there's an airstrip at
Khatmandu long enough for a G5.
Make your way there, I'll have the
jet down in fifteen hours.
WAYNE
Very good. Oh, and Alfred?
ALFRED
Yes, sir?
WAYNE
Bring some painkillers.
INT. PRIVATE JET -- DAWN
Wayne steps out of the washroom, clean-shaven, fresh tailored
clothes. The jet breaks cloud, revealing GOTHAM bathed in
glorious SUNRISE. Wayne looks out at the city. Alfred,
sleeping opposite, opens an eye.
WAYNE
Have you told anyone I'm coming home?
38.
ALFRED
I thought you might like to surprise
a few people.
WAYNE
No one can know I'm back. Not until
I'm ready. I'll need everything on
the company- shareholders' reports,
holdings. Everything.
Alfred SMILES to himself. Closes his eyes again.
ALFRED
You sound like a man with purpose.
Wayne stares at the vast city beneath them as the jet BANKS.
WAYNE
Gotham needs me, Alfred. Gotham
needs... a symbol.
ALFRED
What symbol, sir?
WAYNE
I'm not sure. Something for the
good to rally behind...
EXT. GOTHAM -- SUNRISE
MOVING over SPIRES of the city catching GOLD of first light.
WAYNE (V.O.)
...and the criminals to fear.
INT. LIBRARY, WAYNE MANOR -- NIGHT
Wayne, cross-legged on the floor, STUDIES a thick report.
Circles something, closes it. Draws another from a STACK.
INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE MANOR -- EVENING
Alfred makes tea. A television plays: business news.
INTERVIEWER (over television)
Lot of interest in new directions
Wayne Industries has been taking...
Alfred looks up: Earle is being interviewed.
INTERVIEWER (CONT'D)
...couple big defense contracts in
the bag... as well as rumors that
the board is petitioning to have
Bruce Wayne, missing for seven years
now, declared officially dead.
39.
EARLE
(smiles thinly)
Our operating assumption is always
the hopeful one that Bruce'll
resurface sometime soon.
INT. LIBRARY, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne HEARS a CHITTERING. He rises, moving out into the
main hall...
INT. MAIN HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne STARES: a small shadow SPUTTERS around the ceiling...
ALFRED (O.S.)
A blessed bat gain, sir.
Wayne turns to find Alfred standing there with a tea service.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
They nest somewhere on the grounds.
Wayne watches the dark shape FLICKER around the ceiling.
EXT. GROUNDS, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY
Wayne walks across the gardens to the greenhouse. He wears
a long overcoat, a coil of rope over one arm.
INT. GREENHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS
Now derelict. Glass cracked or missing, paint peeled from
wrought iron. Wayne stands in the entrance, remembering-
INSERT CUT: Rachel, LAUGHING, SPRINTING between the tables.
INT. DISUSED WELL SHAFT -- MOMENTS LATER
DARKNESS, punctured by LIGHT as BOARDS are YANKED, splintering
from the mouth of the well, high above.
Wayne LOWERS himself down the shaft, overcoat billowing. He
undoes his rope at the bottom. TURNS, finding-
The DARK CREVICE between the rocks. Wayne CROUCHES, pushing
into the BLACKNESS, crawling through into-
INT. CAVERNS -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne climbs down a jagged rock crevice. Air blows in his
face. The crevice WIDENS into a low-ceilinged chamber.
Wayne hears the RUSH of WATER. He crouches, advances through
the low chamber. It turns DOWNWARDS, steeper- Wayne carefully
slides on his back, LOWERING HIMSELF into...
40.
LIMITLESS BLACK. Wayne stands. A ROAR of water now. He
REACHES into his coat, pulls out a CHEMICAL TORCH. CRACKS
it, throwing LIGHT into...
A VAST CAVERN. An underground RIVER, a JAGGED ceiling, far
above, which, as Wayne PEERS, starts to MOVEBATS
EXPLODE from the ceiling. THOUSANDS DESCEND, SCREECHING,
attracted to the light- Wayne instinctively CROUCHES. But
as they SWARM around him terrifyingly...
Wayne RISES to his feet amidst a CYCLONE of bats, watching
the fluttering blackness with a profound CALM.
And he knows the symbol he must use.
INT./EXT. ROLLS ROYCE ON GOTHAM STREETS -- MORNING
Wayne stares at the DECAY. Sadness gives way to anger.
EXT. WAYNE PLAZA -- LATER
The Rolls pulls up onto the Plaza in front of Wayne Station.
The station is deserted. Derelict. Wayne gets out, staring.
WAYNE
Is it closed?
ALFRED
They still run a token service out
of respect for your father.
WAYNE
(low)
Respect?

INT. BOARD ROOM, WAYNE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
A board meeting in full swing. Earle presiding. He is
addressing a portly, distinguished man at the other end.
This is JUDGE PHELAN.
EARLE
Clearly, Judge Phelan, moving to
have Bruce declared dead is not
something that any of us here
relishes... but as responsible
managers it falls to us to act on
behalf of Wayne Industries...
INT. OUTER OFFICE, WAYNE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne walks past the young, beautiful ASSISTANT sat her desk.
WAYNE
Morning.
41.
The Assistant gets to her feet.
ASSISTANT
Sir, you can't go in there!
Wayne turns to her. Smiles.
WAYNE
Yes, I can.
The Assistant RECOGNIZES him, stands there, SHOCKED.
INT. BOARD ROOM, WAYNE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS
As the door OPENS, Earle looks over, annoyed.
EARLE
I'm sorry, can I...?
Earle STARES. Dumbstruck. All heads TURN- Wayne smiles.
WAYNE
Sorry to barge in, but I was in the
areas...
SILENCE. Earle gets to his feet, approaching Wayne, STARING.
He SHAKES Wayne's hand, claps the other on his shoulder.
EARLE
My boy! We thought you were gone
for good.
WAYNE
What can I say? "Reports of my death
have been greatly exaggerated".
Nervous chuckles. Judge Phelan stares at Wayne, incredulous.
EARLE
Can I ask where you've been?
WAYNE
(mischievous)
You can ask...
EARLE
(smiles)
Well, perhaps you'll tell us your
plans. Are you back to finish
college?
WAYNE
Actually, I thought I'd get to grips
with what we actually do around here.
From the ground up- one division at
a time.
42.
Earle takes this in, nodding.
EARLE
Any idea where you'd like to start?
WAYNE
Applied sciences caught my eye.
EARLE
Mr.Fox's department. I'll make a
call. You can start today.
WAYNE
Actually, I've got a one o'clock teeoff,
and it took me all morning to
convince the club to honor my old
membership.
(grins at Earle)
Apparently they don't have to meet
the same high standards as you when
it comes to declaring someone dead.
INT. STAIRCASE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE -- DAY
Rachel HURRIES down marble stairs to catch Finch.
RACHEL
Mr.Finch
FINCH
(weary)
Yes, Miss Dodson?
RACHEL
Mr.Finch, on the Falcone matter-
FINCH
(here we go again)
The case against Falcone died with
Chill. We had our shot.
They walk out into the parking lot...
EXT. PARKING LOT, COURTHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS
RACHEL
That was then- but now he's importing
drugs, everybody knows it, let's
take it to Harvey Dent and-
FINCH
(looking around)
Keep your voice down.
(quite, sympathetic)
Look, Rachel, Falcone's got Judge
Phelan and half of City Hall bought
(MORE)
43.
FINCH (CONT'D)
And paid for. So you got burned on
Falcone- let it go, we've got bigger
fish to fry.
RACHEL
That would make a lot more sense if
we were doing any frying.
Finch, uncomfortable, TURNS. Rachel WATCHES him exit...
INT. ROLLS ROYCE -- CONTINUOUS
In The back seat, Wayne WATCHES Rachel standing there.
ALFRED
Shall I park, sir?
Wayne wrestles for a moment...
WAYNE
No, let's go.
Alfred pulls out with a touch of disappointment.
INT. APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- DAY
A massive WAREHOUSE, stacked with crates, odd-shaped under
dust covers, lab equipment. LUCIUS FOX, aged 52, leads Wayne
through the stacks, speaking in calm, knowledgeable tones.
FOX
Environmental applications, defense
projects, consumer products... all
prototypes, none if production at
any level whatsoever.
WAYNE
None?
Fox pauses, turns to Wayne, a wicked gleam in his eye.
FOX
What did they tell you this place
was?
WAYNE
They didn't tell me anything.
FOX
Told me exactly what it was when
they sent me here... a dead end where
I couldn't cause any more trouble
for the rest of the board.
WAYNE
You were on the board?
44.
FOX
Back when your father ran things.
WAYNE
You knew my father?
FOX
Sure. Helped him build his train.
Beautiful project- routed right into
Wayne Tower, along with the water
and power utilities. Made Wayne
Tower the unofficial heart of Gotham.
Fox stops at a tall CRATE. Checks paperwork. Opens the
crate: a BODYSUIT- clear silicone over jointed armor.
FOX (CONT'D)
Here it is: the nomex survival suit
for advanced infantry. Kevlar biweave,
reinforced joints...
Wayne feels the fabric of the suit.
WAYNE
Bullet-proof?
FOX
Anything but a straight shot.
WAYNE
Tear-resistant?
Fox HACKS at the suit with his pen- it doesn't even mark.
FOX
This sucker'll stop a knife.
WAYNE
Why didn't they put it into
production?
FOX
The bean counters figured a soldier's
life wasn't worth the 300 grand.
Fox looks at Wayne. Suspicious.
FOX (CONT'D)
What do you want with it, Mr.Wayne?
WAYNE
I want to borrow it. For spelunking.
(off look)
You know, cave-diving.
Fox shrugs. Puts the lid back on the crate.
45.
FOX
You get a lot of gunfire down in
those caves?
WAYNE
(smiles)
Listen, I'd rather Mr.Earle didn't
know about me borrowing-
FOX
Mr.Wayne, the way I see it...
Fox waves his arm, taking in the enormous facility.
FOX (CONT'D)
All this stuff is yours, anyway.
INT. CAVERNS BENEATH WAYNE MANOR -- DAY
Wayne, high on the cavern wall, in climbing harness, HAMMERS
a bracket into the rock securing a line of industrial LAMPS.
WAYNE
Okay! Give it a try.
Alfred throws a switch on a portable GENERATOR: the lamps
flicker on, dimly lighting the length of one wall. Alfred
peers at the DAMP, DINGY surroundings.
ALFRED
Oh, charming.
Alfred sees the BATS covering the entire ceiling.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
At least you'll have company.
Wayne RAPPELS to the cave floor, looks up to a HIGH corner:
CRUMBLING BRICKWORK. Alfred follows his gaze.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
Must be the lowest foundations of
the Southeast wing.
Wayne CLIMBS up: poking through the rock ceiling: the bottom
of a wrought-iron SPIRAL STAIRCASE. In the center of the
spiral: a dumb-waiter lift, fallen off its track. Wayne
grabs the chains of the lift, RATTLES them- sending a wave
ECHOING up into the darkness.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
During the civil war your greatgrandfather
was involved with the
underground railroad. Secretly
transporting freed slaves to the
North. I suspect these caverns came
in handy.
46.
Wayne jumps down. Moves to the small river. Follows it
where it disappears under rocks. Steps over. Alfred waits.
The ROAR of WATER gets louder and the light gets BRIGHTER.
Wayne follows the tunnel around a dog leg, emerging...
BEHIND THE FACE OF A WATERFALL. Wayne grins, HOPS along
slick rocks right up to the beautiful CURTAIN of water.
WAYNE
(awe)
Alfred, come up here.
Alfred is twenty feet behind on the dry rocks.
ALFRED
I can see it very well from here,
thank-you, sir.
Wayne, mesmerized, reaches for water that is liquid light.

INT. UNMARKED POLICE SEDAN -- EVENING
Gordon, now 46 and a Detective, in the passenger seat. Worn
eyes watching his partner, FLASS, 42, glad-hand the owner of
the liquor store they are parked outside. Flass squeezes
into the driving seat holding a wad of CASH.
FLASS
Don't s'pose you want a taste?
Gordon looks at Flass, cold. Flass shrugs. Counts his money.
FLASS (CONT'D)
I keep offering 'cause who knows,
maybe one day you'll get wise.
GORDON
Nothing wise in what you do, Flass.
FLASS
Yeah? Well, Jimbo, you don't take
your taste- makes us guys
you might decide to roll over-
GORDON
(irritated)
I'm no rat, Flass.
(calmer)
In a town this bent, who's there to
rat to, anyway?
Flass LAUGHS at this, hits the gas.
EXT. ROOFTOPS, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
Moving in on a rooftop balustrade to discover Wayne, wearing
the bodysuit, crouched, watching the police station across
47.
The street. He pulls on a black balaclava. CLIMBS through
the SHADOWS using Ninja SPIRES on his hands and feet.
EXT. POLICE STATION -- MOMENTS LATER
Gordon slams the car door. Watches Flass pull away. Weary.
INT. GORDON'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon SLUMPS into his chair, back to the window. Reaches
for the phone- notices a BOOK sitting on his desk: an old,
worn copy of: "PHYLUM PERACOPDA: THE TWILIGHT WORLD OF BATS".
Gordon frowns at the book, CONFUSED. The light goes OUT.
WAYNE (O.S.)
Don't turn around.
Gordon FREEZES- Wayne is behind his, pressing a stapler
between Gordon's shoulder blades as if it were a gun.
GORDON
What do you want?
WAYNE
I've been watching. You're a good
cop. One of the few. What would it
take to get Falcone?
Gordon narrows his eyes, puzzled.
GORDON
Carmine Falcone?
WAYNE
He brings in shipments of drugs every
week, nobody takes him down. Why?
GORDON
He's paid up with the right people.
WAYNE
What would it take?
GORDON
Leverage on Judge Phelan. And a
D.A. brave enough to prosecute.
WAYNE
Rachel Dodson in the D.A.'s office.
GORDON
Who are you?
WAYNE
Watch for a sign.
48.
GORDON
You're just one man?
WAYNE
Now we are two.
GORDON
We?
No response. Gordon turns around. No one. He JUMPS to the
window- looks down, looks up: a SHADOW slips onto the roof-
INT. BULLPEN -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon RACES across the bullpen, drawing his gun, hits the
stairwell- two UNIFORMS see him go, run after him.
EXT. ROOFTOP -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne moves to the edge of the roof- the gap is TOO BIG- he
TURNS BACK- the DOOR SMASHES open: Gordon GUN RAISED.
GORDON
FREEZE!
Wayne RACES for the GAP- LEAPS... DROPS FAST... misses THE
TOP STORY- GRABS the balcony below... it BREAKS AWAY- DROPS
him onto the one below. Winded, Wayne CLIMBS onto the wall.
From the other roof, Gordon watches Wayne melt into the
shadows. The Uniforms arrive either side.
UNIFORM 1
The hell was that? 1
GORDON
(dismissive)
Some nut.
But Gordon's expression is less certain.
INT. EARLE'S OFFICE, WAYNE TOWER -- DAY
Earle sits at his desk conferring with two board members.
BOARD MEMBER
Is he taking over?
EARLE
Not yet. I checked th trust, and
bruce can't assume control until his
thirtieth birthday.
(presses intercom)
Jessica, where's that coffee?
BOARD MEMBER
But that's in three months.
49.
EARLE
We'll have to move fast.
BOARD MEMBER 2
To do what?
EARLE
An IPO. There's nothing in Bruce's
trust to stop us taking the company
public... we'll have an offering...
BOARD MEMBER
(getting it)
And Bruce will become just another
board member.
EARLE
Precisely. We can't have some clown
prince running things.
(presses intercom)
Jessica?
No answer. Earle steps to the door and opens it.
His assistant is GONE. So is the receptionist.
EXT. ROOFTOP, WAYNE TOWER -- MOMENTS LATER
The SWISH-CLICK of a Titleist rocketing off the roof and out
towards Gotham River.
Wayne stands behind the Beautiful Assistant, hand on her
hip, adjusting her grip on a gold club. Another YOUNG WOMAN
watches, leaning on a driver.
WAYNE
Keep your elbows in...
EARLE (O.S.)
Ladies?
They turn. Earle is standing there.
JESSICA
Sorry, Mr.Earle, Mr.Wayne insisted
that all junior executives need to
know how to play golf.
EARLE
Junior Executive? Who's answering
the phones?
Wayne smiles pleasantly at Earle.
WAYNE
This is Wayne Industries, Mr.Earle-
I'm sure they'll call back.
50.
Wayne unwraps himself from Jessica and approaches Earle.
WAYNE (CONT'D)
(conspiratorial)
I thought a few promotions might be
good karma forgetting my new job.
Earle smiles patiently.
EARLE
Of course, you're not actually
starting just yet, Bruce. Not until
your birthday.
WAYNE
(grins)
Three month's time- I'm having a
huge blowout and I expect everyone
to be there.
EARLE
With bells on. How are things down
at Applied Sciences?
WAYNE
Great- there's some cool stuff down
there. Although that Mr.Fox goes on
a bit once you gte him talking.
Earle takes Wayne by the elbow, walking him away.
EARLE
Since you're here, there is a business
matter that I wanted to make you
aware of...
Wayne assumes a pose of seriousness.
WAYNE
Business... sure.

EARLE
We've been thinking for some time
about offering shares... I think the
time is right.
WAYNE
Offering shares?
EARLE
It's just a way of raising capital
for growth... it's important to me
that the company be in great shape
when you take over. Consider it my
legacy.
Wayne nods.
51.
EARLE (CONT'D)
Well, I guess I'd better go hire a
new secretary and receptionist...
Earle head to the door. Wayne smiles, turns back to Jessica.
WAYNE
Right, who's turn is it?
EXT. FALCONE'S BASEMENT CLUB, DOCK AREA -- NIGHT
Judge Phelan exits the club, a GIRL on his arm.
BOUNCER
Night, Judge Phelan.
Phelan turns, giddy with drink, puts his finger to his lips.
PHELAN
Shhhhh.
The Girl giggles. Phelan guides her into a waiting limo. A
STREET PERSON comes over to the rear windows of the car,
knocking. The DRIVER gets out.
DRIVER
Get lost!
The Driver KICKS the Street Person away from the limo. A
Homeless Man warming by a fire starts shouting. It is the
Homeless Man that bruce gave his coat to years before. The
coat is worn but recognizable.
HOMELESS MAN
Leave him alone! Let him be!
The limo moves off. Close on the Street Person watching it
leave. IT IS BRUCE. He glances down at a tiny CAMERA in
his lap. Smiles at the screen: Phelan and the Girl.
INT. BAT CAVE -- DAY
Wayne places two BRONZE GAUNTLETS on a trestle table. FIRES
up a paint sprayer. Starts coating them matte BLACK.
INT. SAME -- LATER
Wayne is showing Alfred DIAGRAMS. We catch only GLIMPSES.
ALFRED
If we order the main part of this...
(points)
...cowl from Singapore-
WAYNE
Via a shell corporation.
52.
ALFRED
Indeed. Then quite separately, place
an order through a Chinese
manufacturer for these-
Alfred points at a diagram which looks like a pair of HORNS.
WAYNE
(nods)
Put it together ourselves.
ALFRED
Precisely. Of course, they'll have
to be large orders to avoid suspicion.
WAYNE
How large?
ALFRED
Say, ten thousand.
WAYNE
(smiles)
Least we'll have spares.
INT. APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- MORNING
Fox, at his desk, watches Wayne approaching.
FOX
(smiles)
What's it today? More "spelunking"?
WAYNE
Sper-lunking. And no, today it's
base-jumping.
FOX
Base-jumping? What, like parachuting?
WAYNE
I need some kind of lightweight
grappling hook...
FOX
For what?
WAYNE
Base jumping's illegal-you can't
just take the elevator.
Fox shakes his head at Wayne. Gets to his feet. They sit.
FOX
We've got suction pads, grapples...
53.
WAYNE
Any good?
FOX
Nope. But this thing's pretty neat.
Fox pulls out a box. Inside: a bronze GRAPPLING GUN and
HARNESS.
FOX (CONT'D)
Pneumatic. Magnetic grapple.
Monofilament tested to 350 pounds.
Wayne feels the weight. It is light. Strong. He picks up
the HARNESS that goes with it. Shoulder straps with a wide,
hi-tech BELT. Wayne shoves the back end of the gun into the
belt buckle- it CLICKS into place.
WAYNE
Too expensive for the army?
Fox takes it back from Wayne. Sardonic.
FOX
Guess they never thought about
marketing to the billionaire basejumping,
spelunking market.
WAYNE
Look, Mr.Fox, if you're uncomfortable-
FOX
Mr.Wayne, if you don't tell me what
you're really doing, then when I get
asked... I don't have to lie. But
don't treat me like an idiot.
WAYNE
(nods)
Fair enough.
Fox looks at Wayne. Thinking.
FOX
Come on, I'll show you something.

INT. LOADING DOCK, APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- LATER
Fox hands Wayne a sheet of black fabric.
FOX
Notice anything?
Wayne examines it, shrugs. Fox puts on a GLOVE.
54.
FOX (CONT'D)
Memory fabric- dual layer polymers
with variable alignment molecules.
Flexible ordinarily, but put a current
through it...,
Fox GRABS the fabric- which instantly POPS into the RIGID
shape of a small one-man TENT. Wayne raises his eyebrows.
FOX (CONT'D)
...the molecules align and become
rigid.
Wayne pushes on the tent, feeling its strength, fascinated.
WAYNE
What kind of shapes can you make?
Fox releases the tent, which instantly COLLAPSES.
FOX
It could be tailored to any structure
based on a rigid skeleton.
Wayne lifts the black fabric, FLICKING it in a WHIPPING
motion. Thinking. Then he sees something. Some kind of
vehicle, covered by a tarp. HUGE TIRES visible.
WAYNE
What's that?
Fox, a twinkle in his eye, rolls up the memory fabric.
FOX
The Tumbler? Oh, you wouldn't be
interested in that.
Wayne shoots Fox a look, and we
CUT TO:
P.O.V.: RACING ALONG, INCHES ABOVE A TEST TRACKINT.
TUMBLER ON TEST TRACK -- MOMENTS LATER
Wayne pilots using aircraft-like control sticks. Fox, in
the passenger seat, hangs on as Wayne PUSHES the vehicle...
The Tumbler SHOOTS PAST: LOW and WIDE, a cross between a
Lamborghini Countach and a Humvee. Sandy camouflage, stealthangled
panelling and variable-angle flaps across the back.
Fox SHOUTS over the noise of the engine.
FOX
She was built as a bridging vehicle!
(MORE)
55.
FOX (CONT'D)
You hit that button-
(Wayne reaches)
NO, NOT NOW!!
(Wayne recoils)
It boosts her into a rampless jump!
In combat, two of them jump a river
towing cables, then you run a bailey
bridge across! Damn bridge never
worked- but this baby works fine!
Wayne inspects the cockpit: a forward-slung "gunner's" driving
position between their legs, video screens, electronic
controls, windows with HEADS-UP DISPLAY. Wayne ACCELERATES...
The Tumbler TEARS down the straightaway, SKIDS to a HALT.
INT. TUMBLER -- CONTINUOUS
Fox JOLTS with the stop. Turns to Wayne, a little green.
FOX
What do you think?
Wayne turns to Fox with a slight smile.
WAYNE
Does it come in black?
INT. BAT CAVE -- DAY
Wayne takes the hi-tech harness for the grapple and CUTS OFF
the shoulder straps, leaving a BELT WITH SLIDING ATTACHMENTS.
INT. SAME -- LATER
Wayne lifts a GLOVED hand, metal contacts on the fingertips.
With his other hand, he picks up a FABRIC GLOVE, RIBBONS
dangling from each finger. He thrusts the gloved hand into
the fabric glove- the ribbons SHOOT OUT- RIGID FINGER
EXTENSIONS like the SKELETON of a BAT'S WING. Wayne FANS
the PROJECTIONS, testing.
INT. BAT CAVE -- LATER
Close on: the COWL. Black, with a slight GRAPHITE sheen.
Dramatic, ICONIC even without its ears.
A BASEBALL BAT SMASHES into the crown, CRACKING it in two.
Alfred picks the pieces off the table, FROWNING.
ALFRED
Problems with the graphite mixture,
apparently. The next ten thousand
will be up to specifications.
Wayne looks up from adjusting a servo-mounted microphone.
56.
WAYNE
At least they gave us a discount.
ALFRED
Quite. In the meantime, might I
suggest, sir, that you try to avoid
landing on your head?
Wayne shoots Alfred a look. Then fits the microphone into
the horn-shaped "ear" from the cowl.
INT. SAME -- LATER
Wayne GRINDS METAL at a lathe. Alfred approaches with a
thermos. Wayne stops grinding, BLOWS on his handiwork...
ALFRED
Why the design, Master Wayne?
Alfred indicates the steel carved into a BAT'S WING.
WAYNE
A man, however strong, however
skilled, is just flesh and blood. I
need to be more than a man. I need
to be a symbol.
ALFRED
And why the symbol of the bat?
WAYNE
Bats frighten me.
(slight smile)
And it's time my enemies shared my
dread.
Wayne tilts the crude BATARANG, watching light dance across
the brushed steel. He THROWS it WHISTLING into darkness...
INT. FALCONE'S CLUB, DOCK AREA -- NIGHT
Judge Phelan sits sandwiched between two GIRLS, drink and
cigar in hand. He looks up.
PHELAN
Carmine! Where are you going?
Falcone is putting his coat on.
FALCONE
Duty calls. You have yourself a
good time, Judge.
Falcone turns to the CLUB MANAGER. Leans in.
57.
FALCONE (CONT'D)
If he's too cheap to get a hotel, at
least make him take his car around
to the alley.
(shakes his head)
No class.
EXT. DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
Down in the stacks, THUGS unload BOXES an open container.
HEADLIGHTS light them up- everyone FREEZES. A sedan pulls
up. FLASS emerges. Approaches one of the thugs holding a
box. OPENS it, YANKS out a STUFFED TOY.
FLASS
Cute.
Flass RIPS open the toy, pulls a plastic PACKAGE from inside.
FLASS (CONT'D)
(mock surprise)
Oh? What have we here?
Nobody reacts. Flass hands the toy back to the Thug.
FLASS (CONT'D)
Carry on, gents.
Flass heads inside a massive warehouse to a set of offices.
INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
Flass enters. Falcone sits at the desk.
FALCONE
You believe this hump, Flass?
He indicates a thin man opposite. Flass sits.
FLASS
Problem?
FALCONE
Crane here's making insinuations.
The thin man, CRANE, leans forward. A cold presence.
CRANE
Insinuations? Well, let me be cleareryou
stepped on the last shipment
before you delivered it to me. You
cut it with baby powder, and rendered
it useless for my purposes.
Falcone stares at the slight man, incredulous.
58.
FALCONE
(furious)
Flass, tell this guy what happens to
people who talk to me this way.
EXT. FALCONE'S CLUB, DOCK AREA -- CONTINUOUS
Judge Phelan stumbles out of the club with the GIRLS. They
pile into the waiting limo. The Club Manager gestures to
the Driver to pull around into the alley.
EXT. ALLEY, DOCK AREA -- CONTINUOUS
The Limo idles in the alley.
INT. LIMO -- CONTINUOUS
The Driver picks his ear. The partition is closed. The
Driver examines his finger...
WHAM!!! A BLACK SHAPE LANDS ON THE HOOD- the Driver's eyes
go wide as-
SMASH!!!- a BLACK-GLOVED FIST SHATTERS THE WINDSCREEN and
GRABS the Driver's neck...
IN THE BACK: Phelan sits BOLT UPRIGHT. The girls look around,
ALARMED.
THE PARTITION SLOWLY LOWERS, REVEALING:
BATMAN.
Crouched like a dark animal on the hood- the Girls SCREAM.
EXT. ALLEY -- CONTINUOUS
The Homeless Man looks up from his brazier, curious. He
sees a dark shape on the hood of a limo, a LONG BLACK CLOAK
BILLOWING out behind it... screams echo through the alley...
INT. LIMO -- CONTINUOUS
Phelan scrambles back in his seat, whimpering...
BATMAN
You have eaten well... As Gotham has
starved.
Batman's eyes stare out of the black cowl at Phelan.
BATMAN (CONT'D)
This changes tonight.
Batman SHOOTS UP OFF the hood, banging onto the roof-
59.

EXT. ALLEY -- CONTINUOUS
The Homeless Man STARES OPEN-MOUTHED at Batman standing,
ICONIC, on the roof of the limo, cloak billowing... Batman
turns his head towards the Homeless Man-
BATMAN
Nice coat.
-and FLIES UP from the limo, DISAPPEARING into the shadows
high above...
The Homeless Man looks down at his coat, then back up to the
shadows...
HOMELESS MAN
(small)
Thanks.
INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
Crane looks at Falcone, matter-of-fact.
CRANE
I'm aware that you're not intimidated
by me, Mr.Falcone. But you know who
we're working for... and when he
gets here I don't think he's going
to want to hear that you've been
endangering our operation just to
filch a few dollars from your dealers.
FALCONE
He's coming to Gotham?
CRANE
Soon. This is our last shipment.
Falcone shifts, SUDDENLY UNEASY.
EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
A THUG hands a box to a SECOND THUG, who walks away along
the corridor of containers. The first Thug turns back to
the darkness of the open container, reaches in-
HE IS YANKED INTO THE DARKNESS WITH AN ECHOING CRYSecond
Thug TURNS, stares uneasily down the deserved corridor
to the BLACK MOUTH of the open container...
SECOND THUG
Steiss?
No reply. He puts down his box. Draws his gun. A THIRD
THUG comes around the corner.
60.
THIRD THUG
Come on, we gotta-
He sees the Second Thug's gun. Draws his own. They move
cautiously towards the open container...
EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
The Thugs peer into the blackness of the open container-
Behind them, a LAMP hanging above the corridor SHATTERS, the
Thugs turn, startled, to see another lamp shatter and go
dark- them another and another, DARKNESS ADVANCING TOWARDS
THEM...
INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
Falcone lifts his hands in a gesture of peace.
FALCONE
There's no need to argue- you can
just test the stuff here and now.
CRANE
That's why I came.
Flass tosses the package onto the desk.
EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
As the closest lamp SHATTERS, a GLINT of metal DROPS to the
ground... the Second Thug bends, picks it up, STARING;
A BAT-SHAPED brushed steel plate. The Second Thug looks up,
confused, but the Third Thug is STARING above him.
SECOND THUG
What?
The Second Thug looks up himself: a DARK SHAPE HANGING from
a CRANE directly above him...
A GIANT BAT, WINGS FOLDED, head pointed towards the ground.
SECOND THUG (CONT'D)
What the hell-
The Bat DROPS- wings WHIP OUT, RIGID- CATCH the air- FLIPPING
the shape downwards- ENVELOPING THE SECOND THUG IN DARKNESSthe
Third Thug BOLTS, RACING between containers, arms PUMPINGHe
SPRINTS headlong down the narrow corridor, SKIDS around a
corner, RACES towards-
BLACKNESS SIDESWIPES THE THIRD THUG, SPINNING HIM OFF HIS
FEET, WHIPPING HIM INTO DARKNESS WITH A PIERCING SCREAM...
61.
EXT. TRUCK OUTSIDE THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
Other Thugs REACT to the SCREAM...
INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
Falcone and Crane hear the scream. Flass JUMPS up.
EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
Thugs, guns drawn, advance into the stacks...
EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
A Fourth Thug WHIPS around a corner to see a JUMPY THUG
covering the other end of the corridor...
The Fourth Thug nods, steps backwards. MOVEMENT in the shadow
behind him... BATMAN IS ALREADY IN FRAME- his arm FLASHES
forward with his CLOAK, WRAPS the Thug's neck, YANKS him
backwards into the shadows...
Jumpy Thug sees the other Thug DISAPPEAR... he OPENS FIRE,
STROBING the stacks, revealing INDISTINCT GLIMPSES of
MOVEMENT.
ELSEWHERE IN THE STACKS: Thugs REACT to the gunfire...
Flass stands outside the stacks, gun drawn, listening. He
moves back into the office.
INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
FALCONE
What the hell's going on?!
Flass looks at Falcone.
FLASS
You've got a problem out there.
Falcone reaches behind the desk, PULLS out a SHOTGUN.
EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
Jumpy Thug FIRES blindly at STROBING SHADOWS- GLIMPSES of a
DARK CLOAKED FIGURE moving from SHADOW TO SHADOW. Jumpy
Thug empties the clip. FUMBLES for another as he looks out
into the darkness.
JUMPY THUG
WHERE ARE YOU?!!!
A whispered word at his ear:
BATMAN
Here.
62.
BATMAN'S FACE, UPSIDE DOWN, at the Thug's shoulder- Jumpy
Thug SCREAMS as he is ENGULFED by DARKNESSEXT.
OUTSIDE THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
Flass scuttles over to his car. Crane pauses, listening to
the shouts and gunfire. Then moves off into the night.
EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS
Falcone advances through the stacks, shotgun in hand. He
rounds a corner to find FIVE THUGS, various weapons in hand,
in a loose defensive ring, peering out into the darkness...
A SHADOW DROPS into the center of their ring-
Thugs TURN, SHOUTING, one SWINGS a CHAIN, another a KNIFE-
-Batman DUCKS the chain- SWEEP-KICKS the knife-wielder to
the ground. Chain SWINGS again...
Batman JUMPS up, one leg LOW to let the CHAIN WRAP around
his ANKLE- Batman KICKS his leg sideways RIPPING the chain
from its owner, then HEAD BUTTING him down -
Batman SPINS his CHAIN-WRAPPED LEG in a ROUNDHOUSE KICK,
WHIPPING THREE THUGS behind him in the fade with the CHAIN.
All three go DOWN. The rest are unconscious or gone.
Batman STANDS there, long cape BILLOWING out to one side.
The chain SLIDES from his leg. Falcone is behind him, SHOTGUN
aimed dead at Batman's head.

FALCONE
What in God's name are you?
Batman opens his hand, revealing TWO SHOTGUN CARTRIDGES.
Then TURNS, billowing cape WRAPPING around him.
BATMAN
I'm Batman.
Falcone pulls the trigger. CLICK.
INT. BEDROOM, RACHEL'S APARTMENT -- LATER
Rachel TOSSES, trying to sleep, eyes shut.
VOICE (O.S.)
Rachel Dodson.
Rachel bolts upright, GRASPING at her bedside table.
RACHEL
Who's there?!!
63.
She pulls out a TASER- PEERS into the shadows: Silhouetted
by the window- a dark, cloaked figure. Batman.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Take one step, I drop you!
Batman moves his arm- something DROPS onto Rachel's bed: a
FILE, spilling PHOTOS. She FLINCHES. GLANCES DOWN: photos
of Phelan and the girl in the limo.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
What the hell is this?
BATMAN
Leverage.
RACHEL
What do I need leverage for?
BATMAN
To get things moving.
RACHEL
Who are you?
BATMAN
Someone like you. Someone who'll
stand against the corruption.
Rachel reaches for the lamp, her eyes off the window for the
INSTANT it takes to ILLUMINATE the room, revealing-
No one.
EXT. DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon approaches, coffee in hand: TIED-UP THUGS sit against
the container full of DRUGS. UNIFORMS hold back a line of
PRESS, who snap away at the surreal scene. Gordon crouches
to look at the Thugs, curious.
UNIFORMED COP (O.S.)
Falcone's men?
GORDON
(shrugs)
Does it matter? We'll never tie him
to it, anyway.
UNIFORMED COP (O.S.)
I wouldn't be too sure of that.
Gordon looks up. The uniformed Cop is POINTING. At a HARBOR
LIGHT trained on the heavens. Gordon RISES, walks towards
it. Two Cops stand there, STARING:
64.
Falcone is STRAPPED to the LIGHT, UNCONSCIOUS, arms spread.
Coat RIPPED, hanging from his arms in a STRANGE PATTERN.
COP 1
Th hell is that? Looks like...
Gordon follows their gaze up to where the BEAM of light CATS
FALCONE'S SHADOW onto the CLOUDS.
COP 2
Like a bat.
Gordon stares at the projection. It is a BAT SYMBOL.
GORDON
Cut him down.
Gordon moves away, THINKING. Something catches his eye: a
block away. Halfway up a building. A BLACK FLAG blowing in
the wind... Not a flag.. a DARK FIGURE, wearing a CAPE,
sitting on a LEDGE... BATMAN. WATCHING.
INT. FINCH'S OFFICE -- MORNING
Rachel TOSSES a newspaper onto Finch's desk, BEAMING. The
front page: a huge photo of Falcone strapped to the light.
RACHEL
No way to bury it now.
FINCH
Maybe so, but there's Judge Phelan-
RACHEL
I've got Phelan covered.
FINCH
And this "bat" they're babbling about.
Rachel breaks eye contact for an instant, UNCOMFORTABLE.
RACHEL
Even if these guys'll swear in court
to being thrashed by a giant bat...
we have Falcone at the scene- drugs,
prints, cargo manifest- everything.
Finch considers. Grins.
FINCH
Damn right. Let's get frying.
INT. BULLPEN, POLICE HEADQUARTERS -- MORNING
Loeb addresses CAPTAINS, SERGEANTS, LIEUTENANTS. Gordon at
the back. Loeb HOLDS up the PAPER, SMACKS the front page.
65.
LOEB
Unacceptable. I don't care if it's
rival gangs, Guardian Angels or the
goddamn Salvation Army- get them off
the street, and off the front page.
CAPTAIN SIMPSON
They say it was one guy... or thing.
LOEB
Dipping into their own supply- it
was some asshole in a costume.
(the room chuckles)
If it's one guy, that'll make it a
lot easier for you, won't it?
Gordon RAISES his hand. Loeb NODS, cautious.
GORDON
This guy did deliver us one of the
city's biggest crime lords.
LOEB
(glares)
No one takes the law into their own
hands in my city, understand?
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY
Alfred opens the curtains. Wayne WAKES, squinting.
WAYNE
(groggy)
Bats are nocturnal.
ALFRED
Bats, maybe... but even for
billionaire playboys, 3 o'clock is
pushing it. The price of leading a
double life, I fear.
Alfred PUTS down a tray: water, fruit, newspaper.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
Your theatrics made an impression.
WAYNE
Theatricality and deception are
powerful weapons, Alfred. It's a
start.
Wayne glances at the paper. Gets out of bed, bare-chested.
Alfred sees BRUISES across his torso and arms.
ALFRED
If those are to be the first of many
injuries... it would be wise to find
(MORE)
66.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
a suitable excuse. Polo, for
instance.
Wayne throws Alfred a look.
WAYNE
I'm not learning polo, Alfred.
ALFRED
Strange injuries, a nonexistent social
life... these things beg the question
of what, exactly, Bruce Wayne does
with his time. And his money.
Wayne considers this.
WAYNE
What does someone like me do?
ALFRED
(shrugs)
Drive sports cars, date movie stars...
Buy things that aren't for sale.
Wayne looks at Alfred. Nods. DOWNS the water, stands
straight, feet together- FALLS FORWARD to the floor- into
his dizzyingly fast push-ups. Alfred watches. Concerned.
ALFRED (CONT'D)
Who knows, Master Wayne- if you start
pretending to have fun, you might
even have a little by accident.
INT. COUNTY JAIL, RECEIVING -- DAY
Crane, briefcase in hand, is BUZZED through thick steel and
glass doors and met inside by a PRISON OFFICIAL. They walk.
PRISON OFFICIAL
Dr.Crane, thanks for coming down...
CRANE
Not at all. So he cut his wrists?
PRISON OFFICIAL
Probably looking for an insanity
plea, but if anything happened...
CRANE
Of course, better safe than sorry.
67.
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM, COUNTY JAIL -- CONTINUOUS
Crane enters. Falcone sits at a table, wrist bandaged.
Crane places his briefcase on the table. Falcone smiles.
FALCONE
Doctor Crane, it's all too much, the
walls are closing in, blah, blah,
blah. Couple more days of this food,
it'll be true.
CRANE
What do you want?
FALCONE
We got a lot to talk about.
CRANE
Such as?
FALCONE
Such as, how you're gonna convince
me to keep my mouth shut.
CRANE
About what? You don't know anything.
FALCONE
I know you wouldn't want the cops
taking a closer look at the drugs
they seized.
Crane REACTS to this. Falcone SMILES, enjoying the reaction.
FALCONE (CONT'D)
I know about your experiments on the
inmates at your nuthouse...
(off look)
I don't get into business with someone
without finding out their dirty
secrets. Those goons you hired.. I
own the muscle in this town.
Falcone leans forward. Looks Crane in the eye.
FALCONE (CONT'D)
So what have I been bringing in for
you hidden in my drugs, Crane?
CRANE
If he wanted you to know he'd have
told you himself.
Falcone shifts slightly.
68.
FALCONE
I've been smuggling your stuff in
for months, so whatever he's got
planned, it's big. And I want it.
Crane studies Falcone. Considering. Sighs.
CRANE
I already know what he'll say...
that we should kill you.
Falcone leans forward, glaring at Crane with contempt.
FALCONE
Even he can't touch me in here. Not
in my town.
Crane SHRUGS. Leans forward. Pops the locks on his
briefcase. Smiles at Falcone.
Crane reaches into his briefcase. Inside is a BREATHING
APPARATUS attached to a small BURLAP SACK MASK.
CRANE
Would you like to see my mask?
He pulls the mask out of the case. Holds it up.
CRANE (CONT'D)
I use it in my experiments. Probably
not very frightening to a guy like
you. But those crazies...
Falcone stares at crane, uneasy. Crane puts on the mask.
It is a sack with eye holes and twine stitching for a mouth.
CRANE (CONT'D)
...they can't stand it...
FALCONE
When did the nut take over the asylum-
WHUMP- a cloud of white SMOKE shoots out of Crane's briefcase.
Falcone pushes his chair back, COUGHING, surprised.
CRANE
They scream and cry...
Falcone looks up at Crane in his mask-
Through Falcone's eyes: tiny LIZARD TONGUES FLICK out of the
holes in Crane's mask.
CRANE (CONT'D)
...much as you're doing now.
Crane TOWERS over Falcone, FLAMING EYES and FLAMING MOUTH...
69.
Falcone SCREAMS.

INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE INTERVIEW ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
Crane emerges with his briefcase. The Prison Official hovers
outside. SCREAMS ECHO from inside the room.
CRANE
Oh, he's not faking. Not that one.
The Prison Official nods gravely. Crane leans in.
CRANE (CONT'D)
I'll talk to the Judge, see if I can
get him moved to the secure wing at
Arkham. I can't treat him here.
EXT. ARCTIC OCEAN -- DAY
A COAST GUARD HELICOPTER touches down on the back of a heavily
damaged DESERTED CARGO SHIP. Two COAST GUARDSMEN with
FLASHLIGHTS jump onto the deck of the ship to take a look
around. BAFFLED. The deck is lined with HOLES.
The Coast Guardsman shines his light into a MASSIVE HOLE.
INT. EARLE'S OFFICE, WAYNE INDUSTRIES -- AFTERNOON
Earle is at his desk. A EXECUTIVE walks in, TROUBLED.
EXECUTIVE
We have a situation.
EARLE
What kind of situation?
EXECUTIVE
Coast guard picked up one of our
cargo ships last night. Heavily
damaged. Crew missing, probably
dead.
EARLE
What happened?
EXECUTIVE
Ship was carrying a prototype weapon.
A microwave emitter...
EXT. AIRBASE -- MORNING (FLASHBACK)
ARMY BRASS and SCIENTISTS waiting for a demonstration... an
industrial MACHINE the size of a small van sits on the ground
a hundred feet from a WATER TOWER...
70.
EXECUTIVE (V.O.)
It's designed for desert warfare- it
uses focused microwaves to vaporize
the enemy's water supply...
The Scientists and Brass don goggles. Fire up the machine...
the water tower starts SHAKING... then EXPLODES in a CLOUD
OF STEAM that drifts towards the observers like FOG.
INT. EARLE'S OFFICE, WAYNE INDUSTRIES -- CONTINUOUS
EXECUTIVE
It looks like someone fired it up at
sea- judging from the damage to the
ship and cargo.
EARLE
What about the weapon?
The Executive shifts, uneasy.
EXECUTIVE
It's missing.
EXT. HOTEL RESTAURANT, DOWNTOWN GOTHAM -- EVENING
A BUGATI VEYRON (looks, and costs, a million) pulls up to
the valet station. Wayne emerges, impeccably tailored, from
the driver side. The VALETS scramble to the passenger side.
Open the door to find TWO BLONDES, one on the other's lap.
EXT. HOTEL RESTAURANT -- CONTINUOUS
Tables around an decorative infinity pool. Earle and his
GUESTS at a table. Earle sees Wayne enter with the Blondes.
He sighs. Then waves.
EXT. SAME -- LATER
The table is littered with bottles and empty plates.
FEMALE GUEST
At least he's getting something done.
MALE GUEST
Bruce, help me out here.
Wayne turns from the Blondes. They stand up and walk over
to the pool. Wayne smiles, turns to the Female Guest.
WAYNE
A guy who dresses up like a bat
clearly has issues.
FEMALE GUEST
But he put Falcone behind bars-
71.
MALE GUEST
And now the cops are trying to bring
him in, so what does that tell you?
FEMALE GUEST
They're jealous?
Wayne watches as, behind them, one of the Blondes slips off
her dress and lowers herself into the pool... the other one.
Giggling, follows her lead.
WAYNE
If he's so benevolent why does he
hide his face?
FEMALE GUEST
Maybe he's protecting the people he
cares about from reprisals.
Wayne nods, considering. The MAITRE D' slides up, annoyed.
MAITRE' D
Sir, the pool is for decoration, and
your friends do not have swim wear.
WAYNE
Well, they're European.
MAITRE' D
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
WAYNE
(turns to Earle)
Mr.Earle, I'm buying this hotel.
Will you please broker a deal?
Earle nods. Patiently.
WAYNE (CONT'D)
(turns to Maitre D')
I think we should make some new rules
for the pool area, don't you?
The Maitre D' stares at Wayne. Dumbstruck.
BLONDES (O.S.)
Bruce!
The Blondes beckon Wayne. He comes to the edge of the pool.
WAYNE
Ladies?
They SPLASH him. Earle turns away, shaking his head. Behind
him, out of focus, Wayne is PULLED into the pool.
72.
EXT. HOTEL -- LATER
Wayne and the Blondes, wet hair, in white HOTEL ROBES,
waiting. The Valet pulls up in the Bugati.
RACHEL (O.S.)
Bruce?
Wayne turns. Rachel is standing there, dressed for dinner.
Stunning.
WAYNE
Rachel.
BLONDES
(from car)
Come on, Bruce. We have some more
hotels we want you to buy.
Rachel glances at the Blondes. Then back to Wayne.
RACHEL
I'd heard you were back.
Wayne nods)
Where were you?
WAYNE
Oh, kind of all over, you know.
RACHEL
(tense)
No, Bruce, I don't. And neither did
a lot of people. People who thought
you were probably dead.
WAYNE
You didn't?
RACHEL
I never quite gave up on you.
Wayne looks at her. Thinking. Gestures towards the Bugati.
WAYNE
Rachel, all that... that's not me,
inside I'm... different. I'm-
RACHEL
The same great little kid you used
to be? Bruce, deep down, your friends
out there are great, too. It's not
who you are underneath...
(pokes his chest)
But what you do that defines you.
Rachel moves past him. Wayne stands there, eyes burning.
73.

INT. GORDON'S APARTMENT -- EVENING
Gordon's pregnant wife, BARBARA tries to get their TWO-YEAR
OLD to eat. Gordon KISSES her, picks up the trash.
EXT. BACK ALLEY, GORDON'S APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon sticks the lid on the trash can. THUNDER rolls around.
FLASS (O.S.)
Gonna rain, huh?
GORDON
What do you want, Flass?
Flass, leaning on his car, feigns offence. Pulls a pint
bottle from his pocket.
FLASS
How's Barbara? The kid?
Gordon takes a drag, eyeing Flass coldly.
FLASS (CONT'D)
Another one on the way, right? Big
responsibility. And when you're on
a big case like Falcone... lot of
time away from here.
GORDON
Cut to it, Flass.
FLASS
Just saying it's good the case is
clear cut- you'll wrap it up easy.
Flass finishes his bottle. Throws it at the trash cans.
GORDON
You come around here making threats,
pretending to be liquored up... tells
me you're scared.
FLASS
(cold)
Take care of yourself, pal.
Gordon watches him head back to his car.
BATMAN (O.S.)
Trouble?
Gordon looks up: Batman is crouched in the fire escape.
74.
GORDON
(shrugs)
The scum's getting jumpy because you
stood up to Falcone.
BATMAN
It's a start. Your partner was at
the docks with Falcone.
GORDON
He moonlights as a low-level enforcer.
BATMAN
There was another man. Testing the
drugs.
GORDON
(surprised)
It wasn't a buy- why risk opening a
package on the docks?
BATMAN
Flass knows.
GORDON
He won't talk.
BATMAN
He'll talk to me.
Gordon looks up. Close on Batman, in the shadows.
GORDON
Commissioner Loeb set up a massive
task force to catch you. He thinks
you're dangerous.
BATMAN
What do you think?
Gordon gets to his feet, dusts off his pants.
GORDON
I think you're trying to help...
Gordon looks up. But Batman is gone.
GORDON (CONT'D)
...but I've been wrong before.
EXT. CARGO SHIP, DOCKS -- NIGHT
Three MEN walk through the canyons of shipping containers,
checking the tags with a flashlight. They stop at one.
CUSTOMS AGENT
This is the one I'm talking about.
75.
DOCK EMPLOYEE 1
What's your problem with it?
CUSTOMS AGENT
It shouldn't exist. This ship left
Singapore with 246 containers and
arrived with 247. Probably dead
illegals. You got a strong stomach?
They HAUL the doors open. The Customs Agent looks inside:
an industrial machine the size of a small van. His torch
picks out the WAYNE INDUSTRIES logo on the side.
CUSTOMS AGENT (CONT'D)
What the hell is this thing?
BEHIND HIM: Dock Employee 1 raises a SILENCED GUN. FIRES.
Dock Employee 2 helps DRAG the body into the container.

EXT. FALAFEL STAND, SURFACE STREET -- NIGHT
Raining. Flass stuffs falafel into his mouth. Grabs a
banknote from the VENDOR. Flass walks down a dark street...
YANKED from the pavement, he's PULLED up between buildings,
falafel falling, UP and UP until face-to-face with. The
Batman. Rain pouring off his cowl. Holding Flass by his
ankle. Flass is SCREAMING.
BATMAN
Who was with Falcone at the docks?
FLASS
I don't know, I swear to God-
BATMAN
Swear to ME.
Batman DROPS Flass three flights down on the wire. PULLS
TAUT- WHIPS him back up.
FLASS
(terrified whispers)
I never knew his name... never...
Sometimes shipments went to this guy
before they went to the dealers-
BATMAN
Why?
FLASS
There was something else in the drugs,
something hidden-
BATMAN
What?
76.
FLASS
I don't know- something! I never
went to the drop-off- it's in the
Narrows- cops can't go into the
Narrows except in force...
BATMAN
Batman can.
EXT. THE NARROWS -- NIGHT
AN ISLAND IN GOTHAM RIVER: a ramshackle LABYRINTH of crumbling
public housing, makeshift additions GROWING LIKE FUNGUS AROUND
AN INSANE ASYLUM. A walled city. Slick with rain.
Batman LANDS, CROUCHING, looking at the windows of a WAREHOUSE
built around the supports of the MONORAIL tracks.
EXT. WAREHOUSE, SHANGHAI -- MOMENTS LATER
Batman slips through a louver, drops SILENTLY to the floor
amidst. By the freight elevator is a massive shipping crate.
Batman leaps up onto its lid- pries it open.
Inside: the industrial machine the size of a small van.
Batman sees the WAYNE INDUSTRIES logo and a number: M-EMIT.42B
NOISES. Batman melts into the shadows. THREE MEN enter.
Two are the Dock Employees. The third is Crane.
DOCK EMPLOYEE 1
The boss wants you to keep it in the
asylum until the time comes.
CRANE
Fine, leave the body. Torch the
place. No traces.
The Thugs pull the Customs Agent's body out then push the
crate onto the elevator. Crane notices RAIN spattering off
the open louver. He steps towards it. Thug 2 turns from
the elevator holding a Molotov cocktail. LIGHTS it-
A cord WRAPS around the BOTTLE- YANKS it into the shadows.
Its fuse is EXTINGUISHED. The Thugs STARE at the darkness.
Batman RIPS from the shadows- Thug 1 pulls a gun- Batman
SMASHES his arm to the ground. Thug 2 moves in from the
side- is DROPPED by a fast elbow to the neck.
Batman turns to Crane- now wearing his MASK. Carne's hand
FLASHES towards Batman, who DODGES a small puff of SMOKE.
Batman moves for Crane- COUGHS, CHOKES- losing BALANCEGASPING...
Batman looks at Crane, sees a monster: FLAMING
EYES, ELONGATED LIMBS, SPINNING like a DERVISH...
77.

Batmen REELS, in the throws of a hallucination. Crane SMASHES
the BOTTLE over him, soaking him with GASOLINE... Batman
LURCHES for the windows, IMAGES ASSAULTING his mind:
INSERT CUT: BATS EXPLODE from the DARK CREVICEBatman
TURNS to Crane. Who holds a FLAMING LIGHTER.
CRANE (CONT'D)
Need a light?
Crane TOSSES the lighter at Batman... who BURSTS into FLAMES.
INSERT CUT: Ra's Al Ghul OPENS his BOX- BATS BURST FORTHBatman,
IN FLAMES, SPINS- LEAPS desperately at the windows-
EXT. WAREHOUSE, THE NARROWS -- CONTINUOUS
Batman SMASHES through the window, CLOAK ABLAZE... FALLING...
tries to ACTIVATE his CLOAK- but only gets one side to POP
OPEN... the deployed wing causes him to SPIRALINSERT
CUT: Young Bruce FALLING, FALLING in the well shaft-
Batman PLUMMETS, trailing flame, UNOPENED WING FLUTTERING
with the violent FLAPPING of-
BATS: SCREECHING, FLAPPING, FLUTTERING DARKNESS...
Batman's STIFF WING HOOKS a RAILING- SLOWS him with a JOLTRIPS-
DROPPING him to the ground with a CRASH...
Young Bruce HITS the dirt at the bottom of the SHAFT-
...and a SIZZLE, as wet pavement DAMPS the flames, GROANING,
Batman ROLLS his burning batsuit along the asphalt.
Batman, smoldering, LURCHES into an alley, raises his grapnel
gun, FIRES up at the enclosed roof- RIDES up- PUNCHES his
way through wire and metal, CRAWLS onto his back, STARING up
at the skyscrapers of Gotham. Rain blurring his vision.
Insert cut: Young Bruce watches his Father CRUMPLEBatman
FUMBLES at his belt. Pulls out a tiny phone.
BATMAN
(hoarse)
Alfred?! Alfred?!
INT. ROLLS -- LATER
Alfred DRIVES, looks through the rear-view mirror at Batman,
who lies in the back, FLINCHING at invisible antagonists.
78.
BATMAN
BLOOD! Alfred?! Blood! A sampletake
a sa- sample- poisoned...
To Batman- the car is FILLED WITH BATS... Mefistofle rises...
Young Bruce in the throws of his PANIC ATTACK GULPS AIRturns
to his Father, LOOKS him in the eye and CONDEMNS HIMYOUNG
BRUCE
(shouting)
We HAVE to go NOW, Dad!!
Young Bruce DRAGS his parents from their seats...
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, WAYNE MANOR -- MORNING
Wayne awakes. Shivering. Red-eyed from crying. Alfred
sits at his bedside, watching over him.
WAYNE
(hoarse)
How long did I sleep?
ALFRED
Two days. It's your birthday.
WAYNE
It was some kind of gas... I only
breathed the slightest amount...
ALFRED
I dread to think, sir, what would've
happened if you'd had a lungful.
WAYNE
I've felt those effects before...
but this was much more potent.
ALFRED
I took a blood sample and sent it to
a laboratory known discreet both
discreet...
(hands Wayne paper)
...and prompt bloodwork.
BRUCE
(reading)
Protein-based compounds... might be
possible to work up an antidote.
ALFRED
Shall I contact Wayne Pharmaceutical?
BRUCE
I've got a better idea.
79.
INT. APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- DAY
Fox looks over the toxicology report. Looks up at Wayne.
FOX
This was in your blood?
WAYNE
It's some kind of weaponized
hallucinogen. Administered in aerosol
form.
FOX
Mr.Wayne, you are definitely hanging
out at the wrong clubs.
WAYNE
Could you synthesize an antidote?
FOX
Well, the hallucinatory compounds
can be balanced... but this receptor's
a compound I've never seen before.
WAYNE
(reaches for paper)
So you can't.
FOX
(snatches it away)
Did I say that? I just want you to
know how hard it's gonna be.
Fox puts the report on his desk.
WAYNE
Do you know what a Wayne Industries
M-Emit42B is?
FOX
No. But she will...
Fox starts typing on his computer
FOX (CONT'D)
Oh.
WAYNE
What?
FOX
It won't tell us...
(turns to Wayne)
It must be a defense prototype.
WAYNE
Could you find out?
80.
FOX
I'll make a couple calls... I still
have a couple friends in defense.
INT. D.A.'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Gordon finds it. Knocks. Rachel looks up from her desk.
RACHEL
Sergeant Gordon?
GORDON
Councilor. Thanks for seeing me.
Gordon enters, shuts the door behind himself.
GORDON (CONT'D)
(they shake hands)
Will Finch go the distance on Falcone?
RACHEL
He'll have to because of the press.
GORDON
What about Judge Phelan?
RACHEL
Someone gave me leverage.
GORDON
Who?
RACHEL
I'd rather not say.
GORDON
(shrugs)
There's a loose thread on the Falcone
case- I want to see what unravels
higher up. I'm told you can be
trusted.
RACHEL
Who told you that?
GORDON
(smiles)
I'd rather not say.
Rachel looks at Gordon, sizing him up.
RACHEL
Gordon, we're working for a masked
vigilante. Maybe from a rival gang.
81.
GORDON
My gut says he's okay. And he's
getting things moving in this town.
RACHEL
And when he gets bolder with success?
Goes too far?
GORDON
Councilor, this guy took down a dozen
of Gotham's most vicious wiseguys
single-handed and without killing
one of them- he's plenty bold already.
RACHEL
If he takes a life... it's on us.
Gordon looks at her. Nods. A KNOCK at the door. Wayne
puts his head around the door. Rachel stares at him.
WAYNE
I'm sorry, I'll come back.
GORDON
I was just leaving, Mr.Wayne.
WAYNE
I'm sorry, have we..?
GORDON
Gordon. Sergeant. No, I just
recognized you. From your pictures.
Wayne nods. Gordon looks at Rachel, nods goodbye.
RACHEL
(cold)
What do you want, Bruce?
WAYNE
I wanted to invite you a party-
RACHEL
A party. Great. Just what I need...
WAYNE
Today's my birthday. And I wanted
to apologize.
RACHEL
You don't owe an apology, Bruce.
You are who you are. It' simple. I
don't have the right to expect
anything more.
82.
WAYNE
I thought you could never quite give
up on me.
RACHEL
Is the party at the house? I miss
it.
WAYNE
I hate the place. I'd tear it down
if I could.
RACHEL
(appalled)
Bruce, don't say that.
WAYNE
The place is nothing without the
people who made it what it was. Now
there's only Alfred.
RACHEL
And you.
Rachel looks at him. An ASSISTANT sticks her head in.
ASSISTANT
It's Falcone. They moved him to
Arkham Asylum on suicide watch.
RACHEL
Who authorized that?!
ASSISTANT
Judge Bentley, on the advice of the
head psychiatrist, Dr.Jonathan Crane.
Rachel starts getting her things together.
RACHEL
Get Crane there right now- don't
take no for an answer... and call
Dr.Lehmann, we'll need our own
assessment on the Judge's desk by
morning.
The Assistant nods, leaves. Rachel heads for the door.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Guess I won't make your party...
WAYNE
You're going to Arkham now? It's in
the Narrows, Rachel.
Rachel gives him a look.
83.
RACHEL
You have yourself a great time- some
of us have work to do.
She hurries past him. Stops. Turns. Looks at him, softer.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Happy Birthday, Bruce.
She races down the steps. Wayne watches her go, thinking.
INT. MAIN HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- LATER
Wayne hurries through the hall. Alfred in pursuit. Tables
of food and decoration fill the hall.
ALFRED
But Master Wayne, the guests will be
arriving.
Wayne turns.
WAYNE
Keep them happy until I arrive.
Tell them that joke you know.
Wayne hurries off. Alfred watches him go, exasperated.

INT. STUDY -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne steps to the piano, hits 4 notes- the bookcase SWINGSOPEN.
Wayne steps through.
INT. STONE STAIRCASE -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne descends. Arrives at the top of a wrought iron SPIRAL
STAIRCASE, steps onto the dumb waiter at its center.
Wayne pulls a lever, RELEASING the lift which PLUMMETS
VERTIGINOUSLY DOWN the CENTER of the SPIRALING stair.
INT. BATCAVE -- CONTINUOUS
The lift hits the bottom with a great RATTLE of crimes.
Wayne moves to a PADLOCKED BOX. Opens it: the BAT SUIT hangs
there- a PHANTOM, black eyes STARING back at him.
He reaches for it.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM, THE NARROWS -- EVENING
Rachel's car crosses the bridge to the Narrows.
INT. CRANE'S OFFICE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- MOMENTS LATER
Rachel sits in front of Crane at his desk..
84.
CRANE
Ms.Dodson, there's nothing to add to
the report I filed with the judge.
RACHEL
Well, I have questions about your
report.
(off look)
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Such as, is it unusual for a 58-year
old man with no history of mental
illness to have a complete psychotic
break?
CRANE
Yes. But this is a mental asylum
for the criminally insane. The
unusual is usual here.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
The GLOWING WINDOW of Crane's office. Batman, crouched on
the fence, adjusts mikes in the ears of his cowl.
INT. CRANE'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS
RACHEL
But isn't it convenient for Falcone
to suddenly develop these symptoms
when he's about to be indicted?
CRANE
There's nothing convenient about his
symptoms, Miss Dodson.
(smiles, sympathetic)
Look, I doubt we're even supposed to
be having this conversation, but off
the record...
Crane RISES, motioning.
INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
An ORDERLY talking to a NURSE. Crane leads Rachel past.
CRANE
We're not talking about a few easilymanufactured
eccentricities.
Crane stops at a door. Motions Rachel to look: Falcone
STRAPPED to the bed. He STARES at the door, mumbling.
FALCONE
Scarecrow... s-scarecrow... s-s...
85.
RACHEL
What's "scarecrow"?
CRANE
Patients suffering delusional episodes
often focus their paranoia onto an
external tormentor, usually one
conforming to the Jungian archetypes.
(shrugs)
In this case, a scarecrow.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Batman, upside down, CLINGS to the wall above the window at
the end of the corridor. He RACKS AUDIO FOCUS THROUGH the
Orderly's conversation, SETTLING on Crane's voice.
INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel looks at Falcone, mumbling, delusional.
RACHEL
He's drugged.
CRANE
(nods)
Psychopharmacology is my primary
field- I'm a strong advocate.
Crane turns to Falcone. Staring.
CRANE (CONT'D)
Outside, he was a giant. In here,
only the mind can grant you power.
RACHEL
You enjoy the reversal.
CRANE
(shrugs, smiles)
I respect the mind's power over the
body. It's why I do what I do.
RACHEL
(hard)
And I do what I do to put scum like
Falcone behind bars, not in therapy.
I want my own psychiatric consultant
to have full access to Falcone,
including bloodwork to find out
exactly what you have him on.
Crane stares at her. Shrugs.
INT. ELEVATOR -- CONTINUOUS
Crane steps in, Rachel follows. He puts a key into the panel.
86.
CRANE
First thing tomorrow, then.
RACHEL
Tonight. I've already paged
Dr.Lehmann over at County General.
Crane turns the key.
CRANE
As you wish.
The elevator descends. The doors open onto:
INT. DESERTED WING, SUB-LEVEL ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
A long, decrepit corridor. Water dripping, clearly disused.
Crane steps off the elevator. Rachel follows, perturbed.
INT. ABANDONED REFECTORY -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel follows Crane into a vast room:
Tables stretch off into the room, covered in bags of powder,
scales, aluminum barrels and DOZENS OF INMATES working the
powder, refining it.
Armed THUGS look up, curious. Crane surveys the room.
CRANE
This is where we make the medicine.
Perhaps you should have some. Clear
your head.
He turns, but Rachel is gone. Crane smiles...
INT. DERELICT CORRIDOR, DISUSED WING -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel RACES into the elevator...

INT. ELEVATOR -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel HITS the 2nd floor button. Nothing. She HITS all
the buttons, floors the alarm... all dead without the key.
The door opens to Crane's MASKED FACE. He reaches out-
CRANE
Boo.
A small puff of GAS sprays from his sleeve. Rachel RECOILS,
coughing, choking. She looks up at Crane:
The eyeholes of the burlap mask are FLAMING.
Rachel SCREAMS.
87.
INT. ABANDONED REFECTORY, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
The Thugs DRAG Rachel into the room. The inmates stare
blankly, clearly drugged. Crane turns Rachel's reluctant
face to look up at his mask. She GULPS PANIC BREATHSCRANE
Who knows you're here?
Rachel SHAKES her head.
CRANE (CONT'D)
WHO KNOWS?!!
Rachel PULLS away, BURYING her head in her arms.
THE LIGHTS GO OUT.
The Thugs look around, unnerved. Crane PULLS OFF his mask.
CRANE (CONT'D)
(fascinated)
He's here.
FIRST THUG
Who?
CRANE
The batman.
The Thugs exchange glances.
FIRST THUG
What do we do?
CRANE
What anyone does when a prowler comes
around.
(off look)
Call the police.
The First Thug looks at crane.
SECOND TECHNICIAN
You want the cops here?
CRANE
At this point, they're irrelevant.
But the batman... he has a talent
for disruption. Let the cops wrangle
him.
CRANE (CONT'D)
Force him outside, the police will
take him down.
(indicates inmates)
Get them out of here.
88.
FIRST THUG
(indicates Rachel)
What about her?
CRANE
She's gone. I gave her a concentrated
dose. The mind can only take so
much.
SECOND THUG
The things they say about him... Can
he really fly?
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Batman's cape FLUTTERS as he SWINGS down two stories, LANDING
at the high windows of the derelict corridor.
INT. ABANDONED REFECTORY -- CONTINUOUS
THIRD THUG
I heard he can disappear-
Crane backs into the shadows, smiling at the Third Thug.
CRANE
We'll find out, won't we?
The Thugs move either side of the door... GLASS SMASHES,
across the room- a Shadow drops from a high window. Rachel
SCREAMS. The two thugs advance through the darkness.
Second thug is GRABBED from above- PULLED UP, SCREAMING,
into the blackness of the rafters.
The First Thug peers up into the darkness, gun aimed.
A SHADOW DESCENDS, SHOUTING- First Thug FIRES- the Shadow
CRUMPLES onto him. It is the Second Thug- First Thug ROLLS
the body off, SCRAMBLES to his feet- Batman STRIKES him from
behind, KNOCKING him unconscious.
SIRENS outside, close.
Batman looks at Rachel-
Crane BURSTS from the shadows, arm high, aimed at Batman's
face- Batman grabs his arm, DUCKING away from the puff of
GAS from Crane's sleeve... Batman SPINS Crane, RIPPING off
his mask, WRENCHES his arm around to his own face, RIPS.
Crane's jacket open and pulls out the BLADDER full of toxin.
BATMAN
Taste of your own medicine, doctor?
Crane's eyes go wide as Batman SQUEEZES the bladder and a
choking cloud of dust sprays into Crane's face...
89.
Crane falls to the ground, CHOKING.
Batman turns him over, pulls his face up to meet his.
BATMAN (CONT'D)
Who are you working for?!
Crane's eyes are wide with TERROR.
Batman is a DEATH'S HEAD- black eyes, fangs.
CRANE
Ra's... Ra's... Al Ghul...
Batman reacts, pulls Crane tighter.
BATMAN
Ra's Al Ghul is dead, Crane! Who
are you really working for? CRANE!!!
But Crane just STARES at him, EYES GLAZING- MIND FLYINGIMAGES
CASCADING THROUGH HIS FEVERED BRAIN... Crane smiles.
CRANE
Dr. Crane isn't here right now, but
if you'd like to make an appointment-
Sirens outside. Batman TURNS to Rachel. Through her eyes:
Batman is a towering HORNED, WINGED DEMON...
Rachel LASHES OUT at the demon with all her might... Batman
applies a GRIP to her neck that renders her unconscious.
COP (over bullhorn)
BATMAN. PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND
SURRENDER. YOU ARE SURROUNDED.
Batman RISES, carrying Rachel.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS

POLICE CARS surround the building. COPS have guns drawn,
WAITING. STAFF emerge, blinking, from the darkened asylum.
Flass and Gordon arrive. Flass shouts at the Uniforms:
FLASS
What're you waiting for?!
UNIFORMED COP
Backup.
FLASS
Backup?!
Flass gestures at the DOZEN police cars outside the building.
90.
UNIFORMED COP
The batman's in there. SWAT's on
the way, but if you want to go now...
(smiles)
I'm right behind you, sir.
Flass turns to Gordon. Shrugs.
FLASS
SWAT's on the way.
Gordon shakes his head. Approaches the front doors.
INT. DERELICT CORRIDOR, DISUSED WING -- CONTINUOUS
Batman carries Rachel, cloak BILLOWING in his wake.
INT. LOBBY, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon moves through the dark, gun drawn, eyes FLICKING to
terrified NURSES who make their way to the front door.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
SWAT OFFICERS pour out of vans, RACE up the front steps.
INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon tries the elevator- it is dead. He enters the STAIRS.
INT. LOBBY, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
The SWAT team BURSTS in- FLASHLIGHTS on RIFLES SCAN the
darkness...
INT. STAIRWELL, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon locks down the stairwell- the way down to the disused
wing is fenced off. He heads up- and is GRABBED and SWUNG
OUT into the stairwell. Batman holds him as they ROCKET
UPWARDS.
GORDON
What-!
Batman covers Gordon's mouth- down below: the door SMASHES
OPEN- SWAT team lights CROSS the darkened stairwell. Batman
PULLS Gordon into the rafters. Gordon turns, FURIOUS- sees:
Rachel. Lying in a storage space/open attic. Twitching:
GORDON (CONT'D)
(whispering)
What's happened to her?
91.
BATMAN
Crane poisoned her with his toxin.
He was the third man at the docks.
GORDON
Let me take her down to the medics-
BATMAN
They can't help her. But I can.
THE LIGHTS COME ON- bleaching the stairwell- Batman, Rachel
and Gordon are in the shadow of the attic.
Batman reaches down to his boot. Presses a SWITCH in the
heel, producing a barely audible HIGH-FREQUENCY WHINE.
BATMAN (CONT'D)
(indicates Rachel)
I need to get her the antidote before
the damage becomes permanent.
GORDON
How long does she have?
BATMAN
Not long.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
A strange SQUEALING SOUND rises. Flass looks around, curious.
A dark CLOUD crosses the moon... not a regular cloud...
INT. STAIRWELL, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
BATMAN
Get her downstairs, meet me in the
alley on the Narrows side.
GORDON
How will you get out?
BATMAN
(indicates his boot)
I called for backup. Crane's been
refining his toxin, stockpiling it.
GORDON
What was he planning?
BATMAN
I don't know, but he's been working
for someone else.
Gordon frowns at the loud SQUEALING noise.
92.
GORDON
What is that?
BATMAN
Backup.
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Flass SCREAMS- Cops DIVE for cover as BATS- thousands upon
thousands- DESCEND on the Asylum, HEADING for the windows-
INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Windows SHATTER INWARDS as bats POUR into the building-
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon covers Rachel as he carries her down the steps.
INT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Bats FLOOD into the bright stairwell, SOARING UP past the
cowering SWATS, a BLACK MAS RISING, DARKENING the stairwell.
Batman amidst the bats. Calm. Pulls the sounder out of his
heel, leans over the stairwell and DROPS it...
Bats CYCLONE down the stairwell, FOLLOWING the signal. Batman
JUMPS into the center of the black cyclone- HIDDEN FALLING...
INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Batman OPENS his cloak with a JOLT- lands HARD. He moves
calmly through the bats, slipping past COWERING SWATS, moving
past cell doors. Inmates STARE, wide-eyed out their windows
as he passes. Batman turns to a cell door, pulls a small
package out of his utility belt...
INT. CELL -- CONTINUOUS
Two inmates FLINCH as the door lock BLASTS open and the door
is KICKED In- Batman STRIDES across the cell between them...
BATMAN
Excuse me-
And BLASTS the window of their cell. He SLIDES out... one
Inmate turns to the other.
LUNATIC
What'd I tell ya?
EXT. SIDE STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon lowers Rachel to the asphalt. She STIRS.
93.
BATMAN (O.S.)
How is she?
Gordon looks up to see Batman standing there.
A SEARCHLIGHT from a chopper blasts them. Batman GRABS
Rachel. Gordon points back to the street.
GORDON
Take my car.
BATMAN
I bought mine.
Batman has disappeared into the dark end of the alley.
GORDON
Yours?
BLINDING HEADLIGHTS FLARE. A MASSIVE ENGINE ROARSGordon
DIVES out of the way as-
The BATMOBILE comes flying out of the darkness... the matteblack,
muscularity of the stealth-finished "car" BLOWS by.
Gordon's jaw drops.
GORDON (CONT'D)
I gotta get me one of those.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman DRIVES. Rachel, COMING TO, hangs on, TERRIFIED. A
COP CAR pulls across the alley- Batman hits the accelerator.
EXT. ALLEY -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile SPEEDS towards the cop car-
INT. COP CAR -- CONTINUOUS
The Cops GAWP at the Batmobile, BRACINGEXT.
ALLEY -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile SMASHES into the cop car, huge front tires
CRUSHING the bonnet, BOUNCING the Batmobile right over the
cop car in a messy display of brute force.
EXT. SURFACE STREETS, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile TEARS left, and ACCELERATES down the street...
INT. CRUSHED COP CAR -- CONTINUOUS
The Cops are scrunched down. One of them GRABS the radio.
94.
COP 1
He's in a vehicle!
DISPATCHER (over radio)
Make and color?
COP 1
It's a black...
(turns to partner.
who shrugs)
...tank.
DISPATCHER (over radio)
Tank?
EXT. SURFACE STREETS, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile WEAVES around traffic, DODGING freeway supports.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel BRACES against the dash, BREATHING FAST, staring at
the road ahead... through her eyes:
SPEED: pure, visceral SENSATION- lights STREAKING, columns
FLASHING past at unthinkable velocity-
BATMAN
You've been poisoned. Stay calm.
He looks at an intricate GPS display, then at the road ahead.
EXT. SURFACE STREETS, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile RACES along- JUMPS lights, nimbly DODGING
through the cross-traffic. Two Cop Cars join the pursuit
from the cross streets, lights BLAZING, sirens BLARING.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman spots the Cops on a rear-view monitor, FLIPS a switch.
EXT. SURFACE STREETS, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile DROPS SPIKE STRIPS onto the road... the Cop
Cars hit them- tires EXPLODE- rims light SPARKS as they GRIND,
skidding SIDEWAYS, one laying into the other.
Up ahead: the Batmobile SLALOMS outside of the freeway
supports, ROLLS over the sidewalk, NIPS back into the roadway.
INT. CRUISER -- CONTINUOUS
An IMPATIENT COP is on the radio.
COP 3
At least tell me what it looks like...
95.
His eyes WIDEN: the Batmobile ROARS past. A shadowy MONSTER.
COP 3 (CONT'D)
Never mind.
EXT. SURFACE STREETS, GOTHAM
The Batmobile comes out from under the elevated freeway and
is hit by a SPOTLIGHT from a CHOPPER.

INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman glances at a row of BUTTONS- each one a tiny SCREEN
showing different views. Batman PUSHES one- that view flicks
onto the main display. Rachel is HYPERVENTILATING.
BATMAN
Breath slowly. Close your eyes.
She does so. For an instant.
RACHEL
That's worse!
EXT. STREETS, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
Three Cop Cars pull across the intersection in a ROADBLOCK.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman SPOTS the ROADBLOCK in front. Touches the GPS screenthe
map becomes THREE-DIMENSIONAL (heights of building, levels
of streets). Batman SKIDS into a turn-
EXT. SURFACE STREETS, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile SKIDS through the entrance to a multi-level
PARKING GARAGE- TAKING OUT the ticket machine and barrier.
INT. PARKING GARAGE -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile RACES upwards through the structure, the car's
enormous width TAKING OUT PILLARS at every turn.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel FLINCHES AWAY from the pillars-
RACHEL
What're you doing?!!
BATMAN
Shortcut.
96.
INT. PARKING GARAGE -- CONTINUOUS
Cop Cars SMASH into DOWNED PILLARS in the Batmobile's wake.
EXT. ROOF, PARKING GARAGE -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile ROARS out onto the top level, and is LIT UP by
the CHOPPER.
The Batmobile REVERSES into a spot marked "COMPACT", CRUSHING
the cars either side, then RACES forward... Cop Cars emerge
onto the roof, BLOCKING THE ONLY WAY DOWN... The Batmobile
SCREECHES to a HALTINT.
BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman glances at his 3-d GPS. Then looks at Rachel.
COP 3 (over loudspeaker)
TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE!
She recoils, TERRIFIED by his mask, clawing at her harness.
Batman puts his gloved hand on her frantic arms.
BATMAN
Trust me.
Batman SLIDES into the FRONT DRIVING POSITION, body PRONE as
if riding a motorcycle, head in a glass POD between the front
wheels. He HITS a button.
EXT. ROOF, PARKING GARAGE -- CONTINUOUS
CANNONS emerge from the nose of the Batmobile- BLASTING the
far wall... the massive JET ENGINE at the back IGNITES, its
mouth ADJUSTING... FLAPS on the front and REAR of the car,
FLARE OUT like a PYTHON spreading its neck...
The Cops STARE. The Batmobile ROCKETS FORWARD... heading
for the GAP in the far wall... accelerating...
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel SCREAMS- Batman HITS another button-
EXT. ROOF, PARKING GARAGE -- CONTINUOUS
An INVERTED SPOILER JAMS INTO THE AIRSTREAM at the front of
the car, BUMPING it just off the ground, a RAMPLESS JUMPEXT.
ROOFTOPS -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile JUMPS OFF the parking garage, soaring over a
thirty-foot gap to LAND HEAVILY on a neighboring FLAT ROOF.
The Cops STARE at one another, open-mouthed.
97.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman YANKS the steering left, hits the BOOSTEXT.
ROOFTOPS -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile TURNS- ROCKETS for the edge of the roof...
SHOOTS over the gap to the next roof, CHOPPER IN PURSUIT.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman checks his 3-D GPS, ROCKETS forward, aiming at the
next roof, a PITCHED CHATEAU-STYLE TILE ROOF.
EXT. STREETS BELOW -- CONTINUOUS
Corp Cars SHOOT along, paralleling the rooftop chase...FROM
BELOW: the Chopper SWOOPS LOW over the buildings... A GLIMPSE
of the Batmobile as it LEAPS across to the next building...
COP 4 (over radio)
We're on him, we're on him...
EXT. ROOFTOPS -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile lands on the PITCHED ROOF, racing along at a
PRECARIOUS ANGLE, TILES SLIDING off the roof in its wake.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman's forward-slung position is GYROSCOPICALLY BALANCEDhe
is the only vertical element in the angled car.
EXT. ROOFTOPS -- CONTINUOUS
Chased by the LOW-FLYING chopper, the Batmobile SWERVES up
over the GABLES, roof CRUMBLING in its wake, RACING for the
end of the roof which PARALLELS an ELEVATED FREEWAY.
The Batmobile rockets forward- JUMPS THE LAST GABLE... DROPS
onto the elevated FREEWAY, TRAFFIC SWERVING to avoid it.
EXT. SURFACE STREETS -- CONTINUOUS
Cop Cars see the Batmobile disappear onto the freeway above.
COP 4
Dammit!
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman's display shows a RADAR SWEEP and PLOTS a course
through the differing speeds of the lanes. He pilots, LEANING
left and right like a motorcyclist...
98.
EXT. FREEWAY -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile SWERVES- the Chopper's light stays trained.
TRAFFIC gets heavier. Cop Cars are CLOSING IN from behind...
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman lifts himself back into the REAR DRIVING POSITIONTHROTTLES
BACK- KILLS all the lights, and the ENGINE.
EXT. FREEWAY -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile DROPS BACK, DARK... the Chopper LOSES IT. The
Batmobile CRUISES across the lanes, a WRAITH.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
SILENCE, but for the steady WHINE of the ELECTRIC MOTOR.
Rachel BREATHES in the sudden quiet. Eyes flickering.
EXT. FREEWAY HEADING OUT OF GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile SLICES across lanes, a SHADOW only visible
BREAKING the GLARE of other cars' HEADLIGHTS. The Cop Cars
pull forward, driving parallel, an empty lane between them.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel stares at Batman in the intimate quiet. Her eyes are
glaring. Her breathing is shallow.
BATMAN
(quiet)
Stay with me.
INT. COP CAR -- CONTINUOUS
The Cop turns left to look at the other Cop Car.
COP 3
Where'd he-?
He sees, between his car and the next, a BLACK SHAPE.
COP 3 (CONT'D)
THERE HE IS!
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
The SPOTLIGHT hits the car- Batman HITS a button- the main
engine ROARS to life- Batman SLIPS into the prone position-
Hits the BOOST.
EXT. FREEWAY -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile SHOOTS forward from between the two Cop Cars.
99.

INT. COP CAR -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile's JET WASH BLASTS the windscreen, SHATTERING
it, the Cop throws his hands in front of his face-
EXT. FREEWAY -- CONTINUOUS
The Cop Car SPINS out of its lane, SLAMMING into the guard
rail as the Batmobile RACES ahead, weaving through traffic.
The Batmobile slides onto a TIGHTLY-CURVING EXIT RAMP...
FLIES off the ramp, JUMPING DOWN onto the frontage road below.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Batman KILLS the lights, running on NIGHT VISION. Rachel's
eyes flicker at the EERIE green view of ghostly trees, her
breathing FASTER and still more SHALLOW.
BATMAN
Hold on. Just hold on.
Batman YANKS A LEVEREXT.
SMALL TURNOFF -- CONTINUOUS
A ground ANCHOR DIGS into the road, WHIPPING the Batmobile
RIGHT in a HARD TURN, down a small turnoff... the Chopper
LOSES the Batmobile, pursuing Cop Cars BLAZE PAST the turnoff.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel, crying, looks at the monstrous shapes of the trees:
FLICKERING, jagged tree shapes SPIN past DIZZYINGLY.
BATMAN
Rachel? Rachel?!
No reply. Up ahead: a LOOKOUT over a river gorge. Batman
PUSHES the Batmobile, SPEEDING towards the lookout. Rachel's
glazes eyes REGISTER the danger- she TWISTS, PANICKED...
EXT. WOODED PATH -- CONTINUOUS
The Batmobile ROCKETS off the edge of the lookout, over the
gorge, FLYING STRAIGHT AT THE FACE OF A WATERFALL.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel SCREAMS as they SPLASH INTO THE FACE OF THE WATERFALLINT.
CAVERNS -- CONTINUOUS
-AND EMERGE THROUGH THE CURTAIN OF WATER into the BATCAVE.
100.
The Batmobile's ground ANCHORS hook a steel CABLE, spinning
an INERTIA REEL bolted to the cave wall, YANKING the car to
a halt like a jet landing on an aircraft carrier.
INT. BATMOBILE -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel BOUNCES in her seat. PASSED OUT.
INT. BATCAVE -- CONTINUOUS
The canopy of the Batmobile hisses open in three complex
sections, like insect wings IMPLODING. Batman LIFTS Rachel
from the cockpit, steps down onto wet shale... CARRIES her
into the damp blackness of the caverns.
Cloak BILLOWING in his wake, he heads for the GLOW of his
work table. Gently lays Rachel on the table. RACKS up the
scaffold to his computer station. A CONTAINER sits there
with paperwork from Fox. Batman opens it, removes a VIAL.
He plugs it into a pneumatic SYRINGE, puts the syringe between
his teeth- GLIDES off the scaffold, LANDING beside Rachel.
He INJECTS her in the biceps.
Batman steps back, watching Rachel's breathing SLOW.
INT. ABANDONED REFECTORY, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon surveys the scene: COPS and SWATS dig through the
mess, interviewing Inmates and sifting rubble. A DETECTIVE
sits in a cell doorway examining Crane's mask. Crane is
huddled in the corner, STARING.
GORDON
Is he cooperating?
DETECTIVE
If by cooperating you mean chewing
his way through three sets of
restraints, then yes, he's
cooperating. Did we catch the batman?
Gordon tries not to smile.
GORDON
Nope.
A cop hurries over.
COP
Sir, there's something you should
take a look at...
INT. DERELICT BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Tiled baths and hydrotherapy equipment. A POOL in the center.
The Cop leads Gordon to the edge... A massive HOLE has been
dug through the bottom.
101.
Dozens of ALUMINUM BARRELS sit alongside. Gordon climbs
down, PEERS into the hole... A TORRENT of water runs at the
bottom.
GORDON
Looks like they tapped the mains...
Gordon looks at the dozens of aluminum barrels. Realizing.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Get me somebody at the water board!
INT. BATCAVE -- LATER
Rachel's eyes flicker open to the cavernous damp darkness.
She sees BATS banging high above. CLOSES her eyes again.
RACHEL
(under her breath)
Oh. My. God.
BATMAN (O.S.)
How do you feel?
His voice ECHOES as if spoken from al shadows at once.
RACHEL
(hoarse)
Where are we?
Nothing.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Why did you bring me here?
BATMAN
If I hadn't... your mind would now
be lost. You were poisoned.
Rachel thinks.., concentrating.., remembering.
RACHEL
I remember... nightmares. This...
face, this... mask.
(realizes)
Crane. It was Crane-
Rachel STRUGGLES off the table, trying to stand.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
I have to tell the police- we've got-
She SLIPS- Batman is there, CATCHING her.
BATMAN
Rest. Gordon has Crane.

102.
In his arms she looks up at him- he lays her gently back
onto the table. Retreats into shadow.
RACHEL
Is Sergeant Gordon your friend?
BATMAN
I don't have the luxury of friends.
Rachel watches this dark shadow hover just outside the light.
RACHEL
Why did you save my life?
BATMAN
Gotham needs you.
RACHEL
And you serve Gotham?
BATMAN
I serve justice.
Rachel STARES at the solitary shadow. Fascinated. Pitying.
RACHEL
Perhaps you do.
Batman steps into the light. Holding a pneumatic syringe
and two vials. Rachel stares at him.
BATMAN
I'm going to give you a sedative.
You'll wake up back at home...
Batman holds up the two vials.
BATMAN (CONT'D)
And when you do, get these to Gordon,
and Gordon alone. Trust no one.
RACHEL
What are they?
BATMAN
The antidote. One for Gordon to
inoculate himself, the other to start
mass-production.
Batman hands Rachel the vials. She looks at him, curious.
BATMAN (CONT'D)
Crane was just a pawn. He was working
for someone else.
103.
RACHEL
(remembering)
Ghul... something Al Ghul...
BATMAN
Ra's Al Ghul. It's not him. He's
dead.
RACHEL
How do you know?
BATMAN
I watched him die.
Batman approaches with the syringe. Rachel offers her arm.
Batman injects her. Her eyes close. Batman removes his
cowl. Wayne stands above the sleeping Rachel. Stares at
her for an inexpressibly lonely moment.
INT. BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon is on the phone-
GORDON
Someone's been dumping a dangerous
contaminant into the supply from
this location for days, maybe weeks-
INT. CONTROL ROOM, WATER BOARD -- CONTINUOUS
Two TECHNICIANS sit there, one on the phone to Gordon. A
large screen in front of them maps the water supply of Gotham.
TECHNICIAN
If that's true then it's already
spread through the whole system.
But no one's reported any effects...
INT. BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon looks around, thinking, frustrated.
GORDON
It must be like chlorine or fluorideharmless
to drink, but when you
breathe it it's deadly... look,
wake up your boss, see if there's a
way to flush out the system.
Gordon hangs up. Frustrated. Notices something. A large
SHIPPING CRATE. He turns to the Cop.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Open that up.
104.
INT. STUDY, WAYNE MANOR -- EVENING
Wayne emerges from the bookcase. The noise of a PARTY outside
the door. Alfred is there waiting, dinner jacket over his
arm. Wayne grabs the shirt- dressing hastily.
WAYNE
Rachel's sedated. You can take her
home.
ALFRED
Very good, sir.
WAYNE
Is Fox still here?
(Alfred nods)
Tell you staff to stop serving drinks
and move everybody on after the cake.
Alfred nods. Wayne moves to the door. Alfred STOPS him.
Hands him a towel, gesturing at his face: Wayne is still
wearing BLACK MAKEUP around his eyes.
INT. MAIN HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Hundreds of GUESTS. Music. Tables groaning with food
FEMALE GUEST (O.S.)
There he is!
Guests look up- Wayne WADES INTO the throng, GRINNING and
GLAD-HANDING. The band strikes up with "Happy Birthday",
Wayne spots Fox at the buffet.
EXT. SIDE ENTRANCE, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
As sounds from the party drift over, Alfred gently arranges
the unconscious Rachel on the rear seat of the car. He frowns
as Rachel's legs get stuck. He looks up to see a PARTY GUEST,
cigarette in hand, staring, curious.
ALFRED
(smiles)
A little the worse for wear, I'm
afraid.
Alfred YANKS Wayne's gold clubs to one side, rachel settles.

INT. MAIN HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Guests are leaving. Wayne works the room, charming, but
distracted... heading to Fox.
WAYNE
Any word on that... item.
Fox nods, glances around. Leans in, conspiratorial.
105.
FOX
A contact in heavy weapons tipped me
off- it's a microwave emitter. It
vaporizes water.
Wayne thinks.
WAYNE
Could you sue it to put a biological
agent into the air?
FOX
Sure, if the water supply were
poisoned before you vaporized it.
Wayne takes this in. Grave. Nods at Fox.
EARLE (O.S.)
Happy Birthday, Bruce.
Wayne turns to Earle.
WAYNE
Mr.Earle, good of you to come.
EARLE
(smiles)
Not everybody thought you'd make it
this far.
WAYNE
Sorry to disappoint. How did the
stock offering go?
EARLE
Very well- the price soared.
WAYNE
Who was buying?
EARLE
A variety of funds and brokerages...
it's all a bit technical- the key
thing is, our company's future is
secure.
Wayne nods. Gestures to fox.
WAYNE
Have you met Lucius Fox?
EARLE
Of course, Lucius, how are you?
106.
WAYNE
Fox is showing me the ropes down at
Applied Sciences... he's a great
untapped resource at our company,
aren't you, Mr.Fox?
Fox shoots Wayne a look, but Wayne WINKS and moves off.
FOX
He's a good kid.
EARLE
(cold)
Fox, forget about kissing Wayne's
ass to get back in- I'm merging
Applied Sciences with central
archiving and you're top of the early
retirement list...
(smiles at reaction)
Didn't you get the memo?
INT. BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon and the other Cops STARE at the MICROWAVE EMITTER.
COP
What the hell is it?
Gordon turns to the SWAT team members.
GORDON
I don't know, but nobody gets near
it, understand? We're closing the
bridges, locking down the whole
island.
INT. BEDROOM, RACHEL'S APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS
Rachel STIRS. On her bed fully clothed. Trying to remember
a strange dream. She sees the two vials of antidote sitting
on her bedside table. HURRIES to her feet.
INT. MAIN HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne moves across the party, heading for the study... An
ELDERLY SOCIETY DAME grabs him-
SOCIETY DAME
Bruce, there's somebody here you
simply must meet...
WAYNE
Mrs Delane, I can't just now...
She TURNS Wayne to face an ASIAN MAN in his fifties.
107.
SOCIETY DAME
Now, am I pronouncing it right..?
In the Asian Man's buttonhole is a DOUBLE-BLOOMED BLUE POPPY.
SOCIETY DAME (CONT'D)
Mr.Al Ghul?
The Asian Man nods. Wayne STARES at him.
WAYNE
You're not Ra's Al Ghul. He's dead.
The Society Dame laughs ly, confused.
VOICE (O.S.)
But is Ra's Al Ghul immortal..?
Wayne TURNS. Standing there. Smiling. Ducard.
DUCARD
Are his methods supernatural..?
WAYNE
(understanding)
Or cheap parlor tricks to conceal
your trues identity.., Ra's?
Ducard (THE REAL RA'S AL GHUL) smiles acknowledgment.
DUCARD/RA'S AL GHUL
Surely you don't begrudge me dual
identities?
Ra's Al Ghul walks Wayne through the dwindling party.
RA'S AL GHUL
I've been admiring your work, even
as it's interfered with my plans...
Ra's Al Ghul looks at Wayne with a tinge of sadness.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
You were my greatest student...
until you betrayed me.
Wayne notices CERTAIN GUESTS staring at him: members of the
League of Shadows. Wayne looks at the departing Guests.
WAYNE
Your quarrel is with me. Let these
people go.
RA'S AL GHUL
As you wish. But they don't have
long to live- your antics at the
Asylum have forced my hand...
108.
WAYNE
Crane was working for you.
RA'S AL GHUL
His toxin is derived from the organic
compound in our blue poppies. Crane
was able weaponize the compound. A
brilliant scientist, but no visionary.
He just wanted money and power-
(smiles)
I told him the plan was to hold the
city to ransom... but, in fact-
WAYNE
You're going to unleash Crane's poison
on the entire city...
RA'S AL GHUL
(nods, serious)
Then watch Gotham tear itself apart
through fear...

EXT. BRIDGE TO THE NARROWS/ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
COP CARS BLOCK the bridge. Police in RIOT GEAR, some on
HORSEBACK. Rachel argues with a POLICE OFFICER.
POLICE OFFICER
Orders are, no one crosses-
RACHEL
Officer, I'm a Gotham City District
Attorney with information relevant
to this situation- so let me pass.
Rachel brushes past him. He follows, shaking his head.
INT. LIBRARY, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Wayne and Ra's enter. The library is empty of guest.
WAYNE
You're going to destroy millions of
lives.
RA'S AL GHUL
No. Billions of lives. Gotham is
just the beginning. The world will
watch in terror as the greatest city
falls. Anarchy and chaos will
spread... mankind will ravage itself,
the species will be culled and the
balance of nature restored. The
planet will be saved for all species.
Wayne stares at Ra's appalled.
109.
WAYNE
You're inhuman.
RA'S AL GHUL
Don't question my humanity, Brucewhen
I found you in that fetid hole
you were lost. I saved you- I showed
you a path and took away your fear-
I made you what you are.
(stares at Wayne)
And in return... you attacked me and
burned my home...
Ra's looks up at his MEN in the gallery. Nods. The Men
start SETTING FIRE TO THE DRAPES.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
Since then, you've used my skills
and techniques to interfere with my
plans, plans in which you were
supposed to play a part...
WAYNE
What part was that, Ra's? To put my
company at your disposal? To obtain
your microwave emitter and plant it
somewhere in Gotham?
RA'S AL GHUL
(smiles, nods)
You were supposed to be Gotham's
destroyer... instead you became her
only protector.
WAYNE
You underestimate Gotham.
RA'S AL GHUL
You underestimate Gotham's corruptionwe've
infiltrated every aspect of
the city's infrastructure...
INT. BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Four SWATS are guarding the Emitter. One of them checks his
watch. Gives a signal to the SECOND SWAT who nods and starts
priming the machine... The Third SWAT turns-
THIRD SWAT
Hey! What the hell are you-
PHUUUT. The Fourth SWAT has shot him with a silenced pistol.
Moving with military precision, the three Ninja/SWATS don
gas masks place explosive charges along the wall.
110.
INT. MONORAIL STATION -- CONTINUOUS
The TRAIN DRIVER checks his watch. Hits the INTERCOM.
TRAIN DRIVER (over loudspeaker)
This train is no longer in service.
PASSENGERS groan, get to their feet.
INT. LIBRARY, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
The FLAMES ARE RISING. SMOKE GATHERING at the ceiling...
RA'S AL GHUL
Gotham is helpless without you.
That's why I'm here.
WAYNE
To kill me?
Ra's Al Ghul looks at Wayne. Emotional.
RA'S AL GHUL
To bring you back to us, Bruce. The
world will need great men like you-
WAYNE
To take power.
RA'S AL GHUL
This is not about power... this is
about saving the planet before man
destroys it with his greed, with his
pollution, with his weaponry...
Ra's holds out his hand. A Ninja THROWS him a SWORD. He
HANDS it to Wayne, placing the point at his own throat.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
You still doubt me? Apply a few
pounds of pressure... buy your
precious city a reprieve.
Ra's looks into Wayne's eyes with absolute conviction.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
Kill me. Then you'll understand how
simple it is to do what's necessary.
Wayne holds the sword at Ra's throat. Thinking. Ra's stares
at Wayne with absolute conviction.
WAYNE
I will not take life. I will not be
a part of this.
111.
RA'S AL GHUL
But you already are. You've given
Gotham a potent symbol of fear...
WAYNE
I frighten criminals.
RA'S AL GHUL
You frighten everybody. A giant
vengeful bat? What better apocalyptic
symbol to haunt Gothams' dreams as
panic takes hold?
Wayne stares at Ra's Al Ghul. Pulls the sword away from his
throat.
Ra's Al Ghul looks at him, contemptuous. Pulls at the handle
of his cane, producing a SWORD.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
Then die with Gotham-
Ra's STRIKES Wayne's sword from his throat- lays into him,
sword in one hand, CANE/SHEATH in the other-

EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon turns. Rachel is there. He nods.
GORDON
How are you?
RACHEL
Better. Thank you.
GORDON
Thank the Batman.
RACHEL
I already did.
(reaches into pocket)
He sent me with doses of the antidote
for you...
INT. BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
The Ninja/SWATS crouch away from the back wall. One of them
HITS a DETONATOR.
A controlled EXPLOSION BLASTS a large hole in the back wall-
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
The Cops react to the EXPLOSION- Gordon RACES into the
building...
112.
RACHEL
Gordon, wait!
INT. BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Gordon and his men appear at the door to the room- the
Ninja/SWATS are moving the Emitter through the hole in the
wall- Gordon OPENS FIRE- the First Ninja/Swat turns to the
second, SIGNALS...
The Second Ninja/Swat ACTIVATES the Emitter- A PULSE OF ENERGY
RIPPLES FROM THE MACHINE... PIPES/TAPS/DRAINS EXPLODE with
pressurized STEAM- Gordon DIVES for cover-
EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Manhole covers EXPLODE, RELEASING GEYSERS of STEAM. FIRE
HYDRANTS EXPLODE, HISSING with steam- Cops hit the deck...
INT. WATER BOARD CONTROL ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
An ALARM SOUNDS- the Technician points at a DOT on the map.
TECHNICIAN
What's that?!
SECOND TECHNICIAN
Some kind of pressure under the
Narrows... like the water's...
(confused)
...boiling.
TECHNICIAN
Did the valves hold?
SECOND TECHNICIAN
Yeah, it's contained. For now.
EXT. BRIDGE TO ARKHAM/NARROWS -- CONTINUOUS
Cops STARE at the cloud of FOG rising from the island.
INT. LIBRARY, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Ra's throws himself at Wayne with FEROCITY and SKILL- Wayne
PARRIES, THRUSTS...
WAVES of flame ROLL across the high ceiling as the great
room approaches flashover point...
Wayne PRESSES Ra's back under the gallery... Ra's THRUSTS,
OFF BALANCE- Wayne dodges- Ra's goes DOWN- Wayne holds his
sword at Ra's throat...
WAYNE
Perhaps you taught me too well.
113.
Ra's looks up at Wayne with a sly smile.
RA'S AL GHUL
Or perhaps you'll never learn-
A section of the BURNING GALLERY DROPS onto Wayne.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
-to mind your surroundings as well
as your opponent.
Ra's RISES. Looks down at Wayne, unconscious, PINNED under
BURNING TIMBERS. Firelight flickers on Ra's' face as he
sheathes his sword/cane.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
Rest easy, friend.
Ra's turns, walks out of the flaming library.
EXT. FRONT DOOR, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS
Ra's walks out of the burning building. Motions to a Ninja.
RA'S AL GHUL
No one comes out. Make sure.
He walks towards a waiting HELICOPTER. Another Ninja follows.
RA'S AL GHUL (CONT'D)
Is everything ready?
NINJA 2
They created a smokescreen in the
Narrows- and they're moving the
emitter into place for your run.
INT. MONORAIL TRACK ABOVE FOGBOUND NARROWS -- CONTINUOUS
The Train Driver looks down at Arkham as he pulls overhead
with his empty train. He STOPS the train above the Narrows.
INT. BATH HOUSE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS
Thick clouds of WHITE FOG fill the room. Gordon is CHOKING...
RACHEL GRABS HIS ARMRACHEL
Gordon, it's me! It's Rachel! I
have the antidote! Gordon-
Gordon RIPS his arm away- COUGHING, SPLUTTERING... he STARES
into the BLINDING WHITE... TERRIFIED, adrenaline kicking in-
Rachel SHAKES Gordon, FUMBLING with the pneumatic syringe.
114.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Stay calm... I can help you...
Gordon looks at the needle, panicked. Then at her face...